Source
It is undeniable that there have been changes in our environment. Inevitably, all of us will be impacted by these changes. Due to never-ending demand of consumers be it a necessity or just a desire; businesses tend to meet those demand.
Imagine billions of items with packaging with improper waste disposal, what would happen? Plastics scattered everywhere polluting not only the land but the oceans as well.
Source
Waste everywhere has chemicals that can deplete the ozone layer leading to a decrease in the protection of our planet from the harmful UV rays, it would mean that there would an increase in the earth’s temperature. It also destroys the nutrients that the environment needs to be able to produce healthy supplies for us.
An unhealthy environment could result in a great negative impact on the health of humans and animals.
What should be done?
This must be a joint effort of everyone. The Private sectors who manufactures goods, Consumer who uses the items and the Government. A big step must be done in order for us to clean the environment and ensure the health of it.
Some business is starting to do their part. In Iceland, they are doing their efforts to be plastic free by 2023 (Iceland supermarket chain aims to be plastic free by 2023 published January 16, 2018)
Source
More and more businesses are extending their corporate social responsibility by doing green activities to support and nurture the environment.
Source
Accenture is committed to lessening carbon emissions to lessen its environmental impact. Lowering carbon footprint can definitely help not only the local community but the whole world. This can help reduce the impact of climate change.
Source
Coca-Cola is very committed to making an opportunity to make a difference. They support healthy watersheds and sustainable programs to balance the water used throughout their production process. Protecting water and ensuring the cleanliness of it means this company can ensure not only the safety of the people around the community but the environment as well. This can lead to a safer future for the next generation.
Source
Due to retailing. There are items that were sold in small quantities and packaging. However, due to this culture, there is an increase in small plastic waste. Recently, Unileveropened a Shampoo, conditioner refilling station to open in Alabang Town Center, Makati, Trinoma (Philippines). This is a campaign to reduce the usage of too many plastics.
How about the government?
The national government can put pressure on the private sectors and the citizens. When it comes to business, there should be a stricter guideline that can ensure that they will be able to produce products that have packaging that won’t hurt the environment. The local government unit should also have proper monitoring to ensure that the community will have a greener environment. The citizens should also make an effort to properly dispose of their waste.
How about the others?
Some also raise awareness thru a creative promotion (22 Environmentally Focused Campaigns published by Tana Makmanee – Jun 15, 2013) here are some of the campaigns:
Creative information dissemination can catch more attention. This attention could result in curiosity leading to a possible positive action. This could reach not only the business sector and government but also the consumer who buys the products.
How about the consumers?
One effective way is by instilling proper discipline at a young age. 5 S is a methodology that Japanese follows that is why it is very evident that their country is clean.
| Japanese Term | English Equivalent |
Meaning in the Japanese Context
|
Seiri
| Tidiness |
Throw away all rubbish and unrelated materials in the workplace
|
Seiton
|
Orderliness
|
Set everything in proper place for quick retrieval and storage
|
Seiso
|
Cleanliness
|
Clean the workplace; everyone should be a janitor
|
Seiketsu
|
Standardization
|
Standardize the way of maintaining cleanliness
|
Shitsuke
| Discipline |
Practice ‘Five S’ daily – make it a way of life; this also means ‘commitment’
|
Source
Even if the companies around the world made their effort to lessen the impact of the packaging they use there would still be a problem if the consumer cannot efficiently dispose of the waste due to the products they bought. The consumer can also put pressure on the companies. Choosing a brand that promotes the sustainability of the environment can make a change in how brands will compete. With a healthy competition between brands can also lead to a price reduction of their own goods.
There are companies who charge their customer if they prefer using plastic bags then consumers can also do their part in their own simple way by using cloth bags and other reusable bags can diminish the use of single plastic use, this can also prevent unnecessary charges.
My Two Cents
There is unlimited demand however, the resources are very limited. The way we handle our finances will also be affected if the resources have been cut off, satisfying our needs and wants will be impossible. Even animals or our pets will definitely feel the results of an unhealthy environment. All industries will be affected. What will happen to our medication? Ensuring the health of the environment will also help us work on our health. This can result in the protection and nurturing of scarce resources. If we will do our part we can definitely make a change.
This Article first appeared on matteoooooodon.wordpress.com
Comments
Post a Comment