THE NEXT ECONOMY -
For retailers, the logistical challenges of returns are overwhelming. Without circularity in operations, returned items often end up in landfills. But
retailers can take small, immediate steps to set themselves up for becoming more circular — and more successful.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The reusable packaging platform’s transition from ecommerce to in-store marks the conclusion of its hugely successful pilot and the beginning of Loop’s next phase of growth, which will see it available in-store across five countries and on four continents.
COLLABORATION -
The consumer goods giant has shared a new Climate Transition Action Plan, new science-based targets and a goal of net-zero emissions — Scope 1-3 — by 2040.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The first consumer electronics company to provide detailed carbon-impact data on all of its products, Logitech says all of its products and operations will be carbon neutral by the end of 2021.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Retailers and brands that view themselves as leaders in a customer's online shopping journey, and want to keep their trust in sustainability initiatives, need to solve the root of the return culture problem: Fit. Sizeable advancements in AI and machine learning have put the perfect fit in the hands of everyone.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The retailer is piloting the service, which helps customers prolong the life of their furniture, at IKEA Conshohocken for a limited time — with a goal of
expanding it to all of its US stores in the future.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Shifting to new packaging formats can feel daunting for brands because of perceived costs and anticipated operational downtime. But through incremental
changes, companies can reduce reliance on less sustainable materials in an efficient, cost-effective and scalable way.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Designing a package to be recyclable is currently complex and ambiguous, with no transparent national framework or guidelines in place. The Pathway to
Circularity Recyclability Framework will be open for comment for 30 days, beginning August 19.
WASTE NOT -
With its size and scale and proper follow-through, Amazon has the potential to make a significant dent in global product waste and offer models for other retailers to follow.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The Provenance Framework debuts as the UK government cracks down on greenwashing, and competition regulators find that up to 40% of firms’ environmental claims could be misleading.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
A partnership with biotech company Arzeda will see the companies computer designing new enzymes with superior benefits to help clean up the cleaning
industry.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The carbon-capture experts and the high-end yoga pants purveyor have developed a waste-gas-based polyester with the same appearance, properties and functionality of virgin polyester — a lower-carbon potential game-changer for the apparel industry.
WASTE NOT -
Beyond being the world’s largest business-to-consumer marketplace for surplus food, Too Good to Go is a movement. Not only does it offer a win-win-win
solution for food, people and the planet — the company seeks to inspire and empower individuals around the world to take action against food waste.
WALKING THE TALK -
When Kevin Murphy announced that all of its packaging would be made from “plastic pulled from the ocean,” it had every intention of delivering that. While the claim was doomed from the start, the company quickly communicated its mistake with tact, transparency and a plan to make it right.
WASTE NOT -
Holding accountable over 95 organizations, The US Plastics Pact Roadmap outlines specific actions and responsibilities to propel the US closer to other developed nations in its management of plastic waste.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
From rethinking sourcing to shipping, here are some of the key carbon- and waste-reducing strategies brands big and small are using to better balance sustainability and business goals.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
In GlobeScan’s 2020 survey of global consumers, 74% said they agree that they need to consume less to preserve the environment for future generations, vs 66% in 2019. But opinions are mixed when it comes to shopping secondhand, renting or leasing items — pointing to the persistence of that pesky intention-action gap.
WASTE NOT -
With new takeback program, families can now send old toys back to Mattel, which will recover and reuse materials for use in future Mattel products.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The world’s largest jewelry company aims to make diamond jewelry accessible to a wider audience. Its new Pandora Brilliance collection marks its first collection without mined diamonds.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The fifth annual 'Who's Minding the Store?' retailer report card shines a light on both market leaders and laggards in chemical safety. Grading retailers against one another motivates action to improve; and mobilizing public concern reminds companies that customers matter the most.