5 Companies Making Surprising Sustainability Contributions
When it comes to environmental sustainability, the news isn’t always bad. Companies around the world are beginning to prioritize sustainability in new ways. From reducing waste to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, many businesses are taking positive steps toward environmental responsibility.
Additionally, many companies are exploring and incorporating ways to use more sustainable materials in manufacturing, increasing recycling initiatives, and taking more social responsibility for caring for people and communities.
As we continue to celebrate Earth Month, let’s explore five “big businesses” that are actually taking significant steps toward environmental responsibility! The more we “vote” for environmentalism with our money, the more companies will be motivated to make the right decision!
1 Disney: Inspiring and educating for a “Greener” future
This first company might surprise you! Disney is a giant in the world of sustainable companies. It uses a zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions policy in all its facilities to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Additionally, they are working toward a goal of attaining zero-waste-to-landfill for each of their parks, resorts, and cruise lines by 2030.
For more than 10 years, Disney has invested in natural places that provide animal habitats and resources for local communities.
More than 25 years ago, Disney opened Animal Kingdom. One vision of this theme park was to provide guests with meaningful experiences and education about animals and their habitats worldwide so more people would commit to sustainability and preservation efforts.
Additionally, Disney’s Conservation Fund has provided $125 million to support nearly 600 conservation and education organizations around the world.
Disney is also instrumental in telling stories and bringing natural wonders to life for millions. Children and adults have been mesmerized by nature documentaries and movies from Disney for nearly a century. How many people have been inspired by these stories to become environmental activists in their own way?
Going forward, Disney has set ambitious goals to dramatically reduce electrical and water consumption. It has also taken steps to reduce waste by changing how Disney toys are packaged.
2 IKEA: Building “Greener” home furnishings
Another surprising company taking significant steps toward environmental responsibility is the furniture tycoon IKEA. Perhaps best known for affordable furniture and Swedish meatballs, it’s also leading the way in more sustainable manufacturing practices.
The Swedish company, the world’s biggest furniture retailer, has an ambitious goal–to use only renewable and recycled materials in its products by 2030. This would reduce the climate impact of each of its products by more than two-thirds!
Currently, 60% of IKEA’s products are based on renewable materials, and nearly 10% contain recycled materials.
Most of IKEA’s greenhouse gas emissions come from raw materials. By shifting to renewable and recycled materials and extending the potential lifespan of its products, IKEA expects to significantly reduce its environmental impact.
A few of IKEA’s specific action items include phasing out non-recycled plastic, shifting to greener glue used in particleboard, and offering more vegetarian food in its restaurants.
3 Patagonia: Raising the bar on what it means to be “Green”
Patagonia has long been known as an activist and environmentally conscious company–and it’s a well-earned reputation! From manufacturing to disposal, Patagonia seeks to be environmentally and socially responsible.
About 87% of Patagonia apparel is made with recycled materials, and they use organic cotton that comes from regenerative farming practices. Patagonia even uses some of its factory floor-cutting scraps in other products to reduce waste.
It’s not enough to be environmentally conscious; Patagonia also seeks to be socially responsible. They require their supply chain to adhere to a strict Code of Conduct. More than 80% of their sewing is completed through Fair Trade. A higher percentage of their workers make a living wage compared to other apparel companies.
Once Patagonia products are worn out (which takes quite a while since they use high-quality materials), it’s not just a trip to the trash pit. The Worn Wear program sells refurbished and slightly imperfect apparel, extending the items’ life by an average of two years. Additionally, Patagonia uses recycled textiles to keep as many items out of landfills as possible.
Patagonia has long been a leader in sustainable manufacturing. It was the first outdoor apparel manufacturer to use recycled soda bottles to make polyester. Their goal is to use 100% recycled polyester by 2025.
In the ultimate commitment to activism, Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, gave away his company in 2022. Rather than selling the outdoor gear and apparel company, or taking it public, Chouinard and his family have transferred the $3 billion company to a trust adn a nonprofit organization.
All of the profits–estimated at $100 million per year– are used to combat climate change and protect land worldwide. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!
Next time you need some new clothing or outdoor gear, head straight to Patagonia and shop for “slow fashion” that is in the business of saving the planet!
4 New Belgium Brewing: Brewing up a more sustainable future
New Belgium Brewing Company is the fourth-largest craft brewery in the United States, and it has been brewing a more sustainable future since its founding in 1991. The founders wrote core values, which included “kindling social, environmental, and cultural change as a business role model; environmental stewardship: Honoring nature at every turn of the business.”
These aren’t just aspirational values; the brewing company is putting them into action. New Belgium uses only sustainable vendors and is a Platinum-certified Zero Waste Business. 99.9% of their waste does NOT go to a landfill!
Though New Belgium Brewing is already leading the way in sustainability, they continually seek to improve. One of New Belgium’s chief environmental focuses is energy consumption. They are on a mission to lower their emissions through strategic energy conservation efforts, producing energy onsite, and implementing a voluntary internal “energy tax.”
Next time you’d like to enjoy a cold one, crack open a New Belgium brew and toast to being eco-friendly!
5 Allbirds: Stepping into a carbon neutral business model
Allbirds is widely considered a carbon-neutral business, but it’s not willing to settle for “net-zero.” Instead of just investing in carbon offset projects that offset the carbon emissions they produce, Allbirds pledged to bring their carbon footprint to zero.
Allbirds products produce 88% less carbon than traditional leathers and about 75% less carbon than synthetic “pleather” products. Allbirds shoes are made with renewable materials like wool, tree fibers, sugarcane, and even castor bean oil.
The company includes carbon footprint labels on its products to make good on its commitment to transparency.
Allbirds created SweetFoam, derived from renewable and responsibly grown sugar cane. Allbirds open-sourced the sugarcane-based material that their SweetFoam is made with. The material in shoe soles is traditionally one of the most environmentally damaging pieces of the shoe. Allbirds encourages other companies to use their recipe and process in a communal effort to become carbon neutral!
There are countless other businesses making strides toward being environmentally and socially responsible. The more we champion these efforts and “vote” with our money, the more companies will change their business and manufacturing practices.
Do you have a favorite company that you love to champion for its eco-friendly choices? I would love to hear about it! Let’s help each other shop green.
