Recycling,
reducing waste, and banning plastic are all movements that have been around for
a while and get strong public support but the involvement of some big retail players has just upped the
stakes.
In the last
week both McDonalds and Coca Cola have made some significant statements about
their intent to become waste neutral. QVM has played its own part in the past
with a number of recycling and waste minimising strategies including the
promotion of biodegradable plastic bags. However a casual observation of our
customers leaves the impression that we are still a major polluter. Cheap
plastic bags that show up in streets, land fill, and oceans are a common sight
in QVM aisles.
Mc Donalds
have said that within 10 years 100 percent of guest packaging (wrappers, cups,
and other packaging) will come from renewable, recycled, or certified sources.
In addition they will recycle all packaging by 2025, and ban all foam products
by the end of 2018. "Our customers have told us that packaging waste is
the top environmental issue they would like us to address. Our ambition is to
make changes our customers want and to use less packaging, sourced responsibly
and designed to be taken care of after use."
Coca Cola
aims to collect and recycle 100% of its packaging by 2030. They call it their
World Without Waste vision. “Companies like ours must be leaders. Consumers
around the world care about our planet, and they want and expect companies to
take action. That’s exactly what we’re going to do, and we invite others to
join us on this critical journey.” said a Coca Cola spokesperson.
And it is
not just retailers and beverage suppliers who are on the social responsibility
bandwagon. An article in the business section of the Age last week questioned
the old concept of “share holder value”, or more specifically “shareholder
value at any cost”. The CEO of the world’s biggest funds manager said last week
- "Society is demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a
social purpose.” "To prosper over time, every company must not only
deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive
contribution to society." This is a significant change in the mindset of
corporations and clearly a response to changing society standards.
Plastic bags
are nice and cheap but they also pollute and the profit motive no longer stands
alone. There are alternatives to polluting plastic bags and every trader needs
to consider their use. The next time you hand a plastic bag to your customer
and they frown you will know why. And you may have just given them another
reason to shop elsewhere.