5 Companies That Are Going Green(er)

July 11th 2018

Taking positive steps towards a bright (and greener) future~

Amidst all the craziness of modern society, the world has become divided. However, there is one thing we should all agree on and it is that we must do our best to protect the environment. With climate change becoming more prevalent, pollution running rampant, trash flooding our oceans and ecosystems, changes need to be made to ensure that our Earth is able to live on and sustain for years to come.

Although it has been a long time coming, I am finally starting to see bigger changes being made. Bans on single-use plastics such as straws and plastic utensils, a steady move away from plastic bags, the NYC ban on Styrofoam by January 2019, and the ban of certain sunscreens in Hawaii to protect the coral reefs are all great changes that I love to see and hope to see more of.

And to accompany our changing environment and ecological needs are companies that are willing to adapt. Here are 5 companies over the past few years who have done their best to help save the world we live in:

1. Starbucks
   
   Starbucks releasing these new lids and working towards phasing out plastic straws is what largely inspired me to make this post. I feel like since the decision has gain media coverage, more and more people are discussing environmental conservation! Seeing such a large company take a step forward in saving the environment in small and simple ways is a great way to bring more attention to even larger issues.

   This new plastic lids are great because they are easily recyclable unlike plastic straws that are too small to be recycled. I am hoping other companies follow by their example and see what small changes they can make to improve the state of our environment.

2. Bank of America
   
   

   

   Bank of America is doing some really amazing things. Not only are they working to be a low-carbon and sustainable company, but they are also working with a lot of great partners such as Village Water and The Nature Conservancy in order to help support a better tomorrow.

   They have even cut down on paper use significantly and have recycled 30,000 tons of paper every year! On top of that, they encourage their clients to make changes too by offering cash-back rewards for switching to environmentally friendly vehicles.

3. Clif Bar
   
   Clif Bars & Co. have an ambitious goal of being a zero waste company! They started this mission back in 2001 and started making changes in their offices first and foremost. Encouraging employees to recycle, switching the office over to recycled paper, and discouraging disposable dishes was just the beginning.

   Beyond the office, they have upgraded their packaging process so that their boxes are 100% recyclable. Their biggest goal is “by the end of 2020, [they] hope to achieve 90% Diversion at [their] Headquarters and Supply Chain facilities.”

4. Burt’s Bees
   
   Burt’s Bees are doing great things for their environment. Their goal is to make an environmental footprint smaller than that of a bee. They maintain good environmental practices such as composting and recycling in their offices and have expanded outwards into creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly production process.

   As the company has grown, their emphasis on trying to keep their water and energy use down has grown along with it. However, since they are still working on improving their carbon footprint and water consumption, they have instead tried to offset their harm by contributing to conservation efforts.

5. Coca-Cola
   
   I am putting this one in in good faith. Coca-Cola has made the ambitious claim that, as their work on making their packaging more sustainable and less wasteful, they will be recycling one bottle or can for every bottle or can sold by 2030. Although, I am hesitant to believe that Coca-Cola will change their ways, I am impressed by their ability to openly admit that they are part of the “packaging problem” our consumer culture is facing.

   The are also encouraging consumers to help them by recycling their bottles and cans after consumption. Their main goal is to recycle 100% of their packaging and to have their bottles be made of at least 50% recycled plastic by 2030.

Here’s to brands trying to make a difference!

Jess~