Many consumer product companies have received criticism over the environmental impact and waste production resulting from the packaging materials used and the perceived excess of packaging for their products. Think of the packaging materials used in a box of cookies that can be bought at the grocery store, or the amount of trash thrown away after a take-out dinner, and it’s evident why many people believe that there is an opportunity to reduce waste, especially for packaged food and beverage companies. In fact, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), packaging accounts for more than 50% of total household waste in the United States. » » » »

When a brand chooses a social purpose to support, it’s critical for business leaders to consider affiliations and commitments that fit well with their own organizational values. » » » »

Sustainability, social progress, health and well-being: all important considerations in the way we live our lives and run our businesses, and all ignored by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As an alternative, we need a measurement that more accurately reflects the complex realities of our global economies and takes into account all that we value for well-being and success. A growing number of people worldwide are calling this concept “Gross National Happiness”. » » » »

Source reduction is decreasing the amount of materials or energy used during the manufacturing, distribution and packaging of products. Because it stops waste before it starts, source reduction is one of the top solid waste priorities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and for a growing number of packaged goods brands – in part driven by its environmental impact but largely because of the cost savings realized. Leading retailers such as Wal-Mart are fully embracing source reduction as a leading sustainability principle to be followed not only by their corporation, but by their 100,000 global suppliers as well. » » » »

Many of the nation’s special events are realizing that, as they attract potentially large numbers of fans, spectators, exhibitors, and participants, by doing so, they also generate mountains of waste. It’s encouraging to see the NFL (and other professional sports leagues including Major League Soccer through their Greener Goals initiative) take a stewardship position with the Public which have moved beyond purely environmental programming to now include broader and comprehensive social responsibility activities. » » » »