When it comes to helping our planet and the environment, most of us know that recycling is one of the best things we can do. But when it comes to our waste problems in America and the world, will recycling alone will bring about a reasonable resolution? The answer is a simple "no". There are an abundance of reasons for why our current system of consumer recycling will not be enough. If producers and manufacturers are not working cooperatively with consumers and partnering with waste management facilities to ensure there is a reasonable and accessible method for consumers to recycle the products sold to them, then it significantly reduces the chances that the products will be properly recycled at all. Corporations must take the ultimate responsibility for going green by planning for recycling solutions for all their products before distribution and consumption.
The Texas Campaign For The Environment (TCE), a non-profit, has recently brought this issue to center stage. Corporations must take full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products according to TCE. They emphasize our current system of "produce it, consume it, toss it out" must be redesigned to reduce and eliminate waste at its source. This is completely logical if you really think about it. There is no real accountability in our current system, as so many producers leave the responsibility for recycling in the hands of consumers. Now of course, you would think consumers will always be ultimately responsible for recycling, since producers cannot force someone to recycle their products. But with the recent momentum of "producer take-back" programs that are mandated by environmental laws and pushed by "Zero Waste" proponents, things are really changing. "Producer take-back" laws already exist in some areas and with certain industries and products, and they require producers to work with waste management companies and government agencies to ensure products are recycled after consumption. For long-term success in reducing waste and the harmful effects of landfills, this strategy makes a lot of sense.
In the absence of "producer take-back" laws, TCE is doing everything they can to be a great tool for consumers. TexasTakeBack.org (funded by TCE), is a great guide to recycle just about anything from glass, styrofoam, household chemicals, pharmaceuticals and so much more. Considering TCE (a non-profit organization), is making such a valiant effort to resolve our country's waste management issues, it is time for the "for-profit" corporations to step up.
What is your organization doing to step up to the plate when it comes to the recycling of the products you manufacture? As Bob Dylan said "Oh the times they are changing", and now is more important than ever for your organization to be a leader in the Green Revolution, especially from a public relations point of view. As BP learned (the hard way), you cannot wait until you're right in the middle of an environmental crisis to start on your journey as a green company. It just doesn't' work that way. There is no retreating from this issue. Taking action and going green in all phases of your company and doing everything in your power to protect the environment must begin right now.
Your brand name is at stake in this era of environmental disasters, the public will grow increasingly impatient with companies that are not doing everything they can to help heal this planet. To begin with, ask yourself if your consumers will easily be able to recycle your product. Get feedback from your customers with tools like Twitter and Facebook or on a blog and show the world you are doing everything possible to make sure your customers can easily recycle your products.
You can even go beyond your own products and remember to consider eco friendly supplies like sustainable pens and lanyards and eco promotional items like
custom promotional bags for trade shows and job fairs or
eco friendly shopping bags for your retail customers. This soft marketing tactic will definitely help show the world your commitment to go green. These kinds of products are truly eco friendly and will not harm the eco system if wasted. Center your community service events around the idea of doing things to help the environment like planting trees or picking up trash in the community on a reoccurring basis.
To help ensure the health of our planet for future generations, these types of efforts by companies and organizations are necessary and should be embraced. Consumer eco consciousness is at an all-time high due to so many recent environmental disasters, which means you can't afford complacency. Take a lesson from TCE by going green now, and exemplify true leadership in your industry, no matter the state of the economy.
