As the new year begins, many companies have decided to make major business changes, many being directed toward helping our ecosystem and environment.
One of the most popular coffee chains in the world, Starbucks, has started a new policy to reduce the use of plastic. In stores in the U.S. and Canada, customers can refill ceramic mugs, glasses or personal cups while drinking inside. All refills are free for hot or iced coffee and tea.
This new policy will help Starbucks reduce its plastic use and inspire other big companies to make more environmentally friendly choices.
In an article published by Center for Biological Diversity, around 40% of the ocean’s surface is covered in plastic debris, so though Starbucks’s small change may not seem very effective or important, it’s a step in the right direction to cleaning the environment.
According to Clean Water Action, Starbucks uses more than 8,000 paper cups a minute, which adds up to more than four billion a year. 1.6 million trees are harvested every year for all of those single-use cups.
There are about 15,000 Starbucks in the US, so limiting the production and use of plastic and paper cups will change not just our environment but also people’s views of the company. This modification might also help draw in more customers since it shows that the brand cares about the health and current state of the planet—something many people think is important for companies to care about.
“I do support eco-friendly companies because the depletion of resources is happening really fast so we need to be more sustainable to keep the world running,” Blakely Miller, sophomore, said.
As a student who loves to drink Starbucks daily, Miller feels it is important for companies to start making these alterations, even if it’s just as simple as making their packaging biodegradable.
Some other brands that put the planet first are Pela, Seventh Generation, Patagonia and Tentree. Each of these companies uses their profits to either help the earth or sell products that are made from recycled materials.
For example, Seventh Generation sells cleaning and personal care products that are all completely plant-based. Their formula uses renewable, plant-based ingredients safe for children and pets.
A benefit of switching to environment-friendly products is that it is more safe and friendly for families and households. Unlike traditional cleaning products that often contain harsh chemicals that can trigger respiratory issues like allergies and skin irritations, eco-friendly products have been shown to improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to harmful toxins.
Not only do companies sell environmentally friendly products, but we also have big-name brands such as Tesla, Google, Amazon, Apple, Nike and Whole Foods that support eco-friendly practices.
Since 2019, Nike has been advocating for a concept called Circularity design, an idea of creating products that can be reused or recycled.
According to an article published by Emission Index, Nike aims to achieve net-zero carbon and zero waste by focusing on renewable energy, sustainable materials, and supply chain engagement. By 2025, Nike plans to power all facilities with renewable energy and reduce emissions by 70%.
This concept is important to Nike because ever since 1990, they have made it clear that their goal is to produce zero carbon and zero waste. It ties into their concept started in 2019, Move to Zero journey, the idea of protecting the environment and the future of sports.
Amazon, one of the top ten most used companies globally, has been altering its packaging to be 100% recyclable in hopes of helping our environment. It is important to Amazon that they aren’t damaging the ecosystem every time they ship out a package to a customer.
From sustainability.aboutamazon, the brand talks about how they are innovating packaging materials for easy customer recycling and phasing out padded bags containing plastics in favor of recyclable alternatives. Amazon is partnering with industry peers and expert organizations, such as the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, to improve recycling infrastructure.
Besides a business changing its packaging to be more eco-friendly, they can also help by donating to charities that are dedicated to providing information and tips on keeping our environment clean.
The North Face, a company that sells outdoor recreation products, clothing, footwear and other related equipment, is committed to keeping our environment clean and safe. Just like Nike, The North Face is a part of the Circularity concept and supports multiple charities and non-profit organizations to help the cause.
The North Face has funded charities such as the Conservation Alliance, Alaska Wilderness League and Protect Our Winters. All the charities share a common goal: helping with climate change or protecting our wildlife.
“Supporting eco-friendly brands sends a message that customers care about our environment. It also helps make other companies adopt more environment-friendly practices to be more competitive,” Ayla Ozendes, freshman, said.
