Tips for Brands to Reduce Environmental Impact

Kohler Co., the 150-year-old bathroom and kitchen fixtures company, and Legrand, a 160-year-old maker of electrical supplies, are overhauling new product design processes to incorporate principles such as longer durability, simpler repair and disassembly, and more recycled content. This takes cross-company collaboration and discipline at the earliest stages of research and development, said sustainability professionals for both companies who spoke recently at #Circularity25, a Trellis Group conference. “The opportunity to influence product attributes happens super early on, and oftentimes it might be before engineers are actually involved,” said Jaden B., senior sustainability analyst at Legrand. Both Legrand and Kohler have had formal programs for reducing emissions from manufacturing and use of their products for some time. In recent months, they have revised those initiatives to include considerations that extend the useful length of time products can be used. Here are four best practices their guidelines have in common: 1. Consider features early in the design process: If suggestions are made too late in development, they’re likely to be rejected and that can be frustrating. 2. Synchronize goals and processes with industry standards: Both companies look to established methodologies from organizations such as the U.S. Green Buildings Council and the International Organization for Standardization, which in March updated foundational guidance for circular product design. 3. Check progress at each design phase: Kohler uses a scorecard to track how proposed designs meet criteria related to circularity and emissions reductions at several stages during the development process. Legrand uses a similar points-based system to gauge success. 4. Take cues from customers: Legrand trains customer-facing employees to probe for information during encounters, and that data is passed along to designers where it can be married with goals. You can read more details here: https://lnkd.in/ewGPCWR8 Ashley Fahey

Here's a stark fact: more virgin plastic products were made in the past 15 years than in the entire 20th century. Only 9% of plastics has ever been recycled. ~ 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year – the equivalent of dumping 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic into our oceans, rivers, and lakes every single day Plastic is everywhere and I'm tired of it. Great news is that businesses are starting to note. In fact, businesses are uniquely positioned to drive change and set the pace for a plastic-free future. Beyond just "signing on" to the Global Plastic Treaty - there are more active commitments and areas for innovation they can pursue. If you're equally sick of knowing that plastics are choking fish and swarming your kids inner organs - here's how your business can lead the charge for a cleaner planet (and future-proof your operations): Engage & Reduce: Mobilize employees and suppliers to cut high-risk and single-use plastics. Source sustainable alternatives from raw materials to packaging. Innovate & Eliminate: Challenge your business model to eliminate unnecessary plastic through innovation, reduction, and substitution. Design for Circularity: Champion product design that enables large-scale reuse and non-toxic recycling. Commit & Comply: Set public commitments aligned with new international standards and track your progress (e.g., via CDP or WWF’s Plastic Footprint Tracker). Meet Demand: Recognize that 85% of consumers are becoming 'greener' in their purchasing, with more than a third willing to pay more for sustainability. This isn't just good for the planet; it's good business. Taking proactive steps now positions your company as a leader, getting ahead of regulatory curves and attracting a growing segment of conscious consumers and partners. Share this with a colleague to inspire action. It's time for businesses to make a real impact on plastic pollution. Thanks to WWF for putting together a great guide. #PlasticTreaty #BusinessSustainability #CircularEconomy #CorporateResponsibility #ClimateAction #Innovation #NetZero

Did you know that 80% of a company’s environmental impact comes from its supply chain? What is your company doing about it?   Let me tell you a story about a company struggling with inefficiencies in its supply chain.   They were focused solely on cost-cutting and speed, often at the expense of environmental and social responsibility. Waste was high, energy usage was through the roof, and employee morale was low.   They didn’t measure their impact because, frankly, they didn’t think it mattered. Sound familiar?   But today. That same company has transformed its approach. They started by measuring their carbon footprint, energy use, and waste.   They implemented scorecards for suppliers, focusing on sustainability metrics like carbon emissions, labor practices, and community engagement.   They even partnered with other companies to share resources and knowledge.   The result?   1️⃣ A 30% reduction in energy costs. 2️⃣ A 20% increase in employee satisfaction. 3️⃣ A stronger, more resilient supply chain.   This isn’t just their story it’s the future of supply chains everywhere.   Here’s how you can start making a difference, no matter where you are in your career:   ✅ Understand Your Supply Chain. ✅ Measure What Matters. ✅ Build Transparency. ✅ Collaborate. ✅ Think Long-Term.   Why does this matter?   Because sustainability isn’t just a buzzword it’s the future of business.   Companies like Walmart and GE are already demanding sustainability metrics from their suppliers those who don’t adapt risk being left behind.   But here’s the thing:   sustainability isn’t just about compliance or competition. It’s about creating a world where businesses thrive because they care about the planet, their people, and their communities.   So,   What’s one small step you can take today to make your supply chain more sustainable?   ♻️ Repost if you found this insightful!   #Sustainability #SupplyChain

𝟲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄: 1. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗕𝗜𝗚: Forget about the plastic straws. Focus on the material streams that actually move the needle—think single-use plastics in packaging or synthetic textiles in fashion. These materials have far-reaching impacts, so prioritize them (ditch the throwaway culture and watch your impact scale). 2. 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗢𝗧: Recycling is great, but eliminating waste at the source is even better. Aim for zero waste (no, you don’t need biodegradable confetti at the company picnic). 3. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: It’s time to call out overconsumption. Lead by example in building a future where less is more (for the love of the earth, don’t market for people to buy one in every color). 4. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀): If the business case isn’t strong, momentum won’t last. Purpose and profit can go hand in hand—saving the planet shouldn’t put your brand in the red (spoiler: sustainability isn’t charity). 5. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻: Forget the jargon. Let impact stories lead—your audience craves relatable, real-life results over endless stats (think more “this change saved trees” and less “our carbon offset algorithm”). 6. 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁: This mindset is your compass. Use less, keep it longer, repurpose everything you can, and prioritize regeneration over quick wins. Just remember: sustainability isn’t about doing it all; it’s about doing what truly matters (sometimes, that’s as simple as fixing rather than replacing). Think of these truths as your brand’s sustainability base. Sustainable brands aren’t just companies but the real trailblazers shaping a better world. When you bake these values into your brand, you’re not just cutting down on environmental impact but crafting a story that truly connects with conscious consumers. Brands that get this win hearts build loyalty and make waves. So, let your brand be a light in the dark, showing the world that sustainable choices aren’t just good—they’re good for business, too. #sustainablity #branding #leadership #businessforgood #purposedriven