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MANUFACTURERS / RETAILERS
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CUSTOMERS
V. Ryan © 2011
 
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Protection and care of the environment is usually of great interest to potential customers / clients. When buying a product, potential customers often investigate what environmental measures have been taken by the manufacturer and retailer, before deciding on a purchase. Many companies are proud of their investment in this important aspect of design and manufacture and it also makes sound commercial sense.
 
 
 
Potential customers / clients may ask some of the following questions:

Is the product made from recycled materials?


Has recycled packaging been used?


Has biodegradable packaging been used, rather than packaging that ends up in landfills?


Are the materials being used in the product and packaging sustainable or will they eventually run out?


Has it been manufactured in a factory that uses renewable energy or conserves energy?


Has the manufacturer and retailer taken measures to protect the environment, when making, packaging and distributing the product?


Product distribution: Is the product manufactured locally? This will save fuel and reduce pollution of the air we breathe, during transport.


Does the manufacturer supply refills rather than expecting its customers to buy full products with wasteful packaging?


Can the product be recycled at the end of its life cycle or is it going to be ‘dumped’?


Does the manufacturer and/or retailer support environmental initiatives such as the paying for the planting of trees or supporting the Rain Forest Alliance?


What is the carbon footprint of the manufacturer and retailer?


Is the manufacturer trying to reduce its carbon footprint?


Is the manufacturer and / or retailer actively involved in encouraging people, especially young people, to reduce the waste?


Does the manufacturer protect its own local environment, especially if its factories are located in the Third World? Some of these countries do not have the finance to protect their own environment?


Does the manufacturer invest in research into manufacturing technology that reduces damage to the environment even further?

Three companies that take environmental issues very seriously:


Renault and the Environment

 




For its environmental protection and improvement activities, the Nikon Group created the Nikon Environment Symbol in 1998.

 




Honda Environmental Vision 2011

 
 
 
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