Corporate Responsibility

It’s easy today to be wowed by technology. Whether marveling at the vast amount of data I can store in my smartphone, or witnessing the high-tech wizardry at one of Nestlé’s factories, the potential of technology seems, at times, nearly limitless.

By Erin Vaughan, Modernize.com (Reprinted with permission by SCS Global Services)

If you buy a product that claims to include “50 percent more recycled material,” how do you know how much “50 percent more” really is? Did the manufacturer go from 20 percent post-consumer materials to 40 in its newest offerings? Or is the manufacturer simply obscuring the fact that its recycled content increased from just one percent to two? Herein lies the problem with unverified advertising claims.

The word for it is greenwashing, the corporate practice of touting vague or misleading environmental claims for a product. Greenwashing is nothing new—the idea has been floating around since the late 1980s since green marketing claims emerged as a major force in the marketplace.

Cargill’s cocoa sustainability program aims to deliver sector-wide transformation in the world’s second biggest cocoa producing region. It’s a strategy aligned to the government of Ghana’s plans to reinvigorate the economy.

In March, Sands Bethlehem hosted its first Sustainable Foods Workshop in conjunction with Las Vegas Sands’ Global Sustainability Program. Six major food and beverage suppliers participated by discussing their company sustainability practices, while providing insight during a roundtable discussion on a myriad of sustainability topics, including trends they’re seeing and challenges they are experiencing.

Every year on April 21, MADD, as part of the Power of Parents® program, encourages parents to have critical, potentially life-saving conversations with their teens about the dangers of underage drinking and other drugs.

Now in its fourth year, the Bacardi Limited “Good Spirited” initiative continues to make an impact as we work together to build a more sustainable future.

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events. Participants are encouraged to look to this monthly communication for important information. Please note that actions and events are intended for Global Compact stakeholders, unless otherwise indicated. The Bulletin is published in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.