Starbucks Corporation has established itself as a socially responsible organization with a wide-ranging commitment to the environment. Like many other retailers, Starbucks works with the United States Green Building Association and invests in amenities such as high-efficiency lighting, flooring made out of recycled materials, and furniture made from sustainably harvested wood. They also use recycled or alternative materials for their hot and cold cups and paper products throughout every store.
Starbucks is also setting long-term goals to keep their green efforts focused. By 2010, not only do they plan to reduce company-operated and international store energy use by 25%, they also aspire to have 50% of store energy come from certified renewable sources. The company plans to have all existing stores up to the U.S. Green Building Council green certification standards by 2009, and by 2010 Starbucks is committed to incorporating green building standards into all new building construction.
As the first European boardriding (surfing and skateboarding) company to introduce an environmental unit into its business, Quiksilver has recently stepped into the spotlight as a sustainably conscious brand. Whether at the beach, in the mountains or even in the street, they are committed to respecting the environment in which we live.
In April 2008, Quiksilver launched a winter outerwear line made out of recycled water and soda bottles, combined with sustainable Hemp fabric and non-toxic dyes. The clothing line was designed with the most advanced earth-friendly textiles and production processes.
Also keeping the environment in mind during the construction of all new stores is your neighborhood Whole Foods Market. While materials such as recycled steel, expanded aluminum and bamboo can be found in new Whole Foods buildings across the country, their corporate headquarters in Austin, TX takes the cake at the epicenter of their green design ideals. Winning the first "Green Building" award in 1998 for its expansion and renovation, this location is respected in the industry for its forward thinking.
Winning them the EPA Green Power Partner of the Year in 2006 and 2007 was their 2006 purchase of renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset all of the electricity used in every Whole Foods store and facility in the United States and Canada. As a result, the company will produce and save more than 2.2 million kilowatt hours of energy over the course of 20 years.
With goals to become "carbon neutral" by 2011, Nike has spearheaded environmental issues with new green initiatives. Nike has been incorporating sustainability into the design of new footwear products. Meeting the targets for waste reduction, eliminating volatile organic compounds and increasing the use of environmentally friendly materials are all goals the company plans to meet by 2011. Finally, the company plans to reduce footwear waste by 17% and packaging and point-of-purchase waste by 30%.
To help them achieve these goals, Nike has compiled a Restricted Substances List (RSL). In the extensive 55-page report, harmful substances are noted for suppliers to know what will and will not be accepted for use on their products. Meeting legislative standards and passing a corporate toxicity review are just two of the many pre-requisites that Nike’s materials endure before passed into production.
