For The Greener Good
Early Innovators
General Electric
Transparency
General Electric has extensive transparency to the point where they encourage people to look at their records and performance. They provide easily accessible records that are not only available, but easy to read. The link to this information is here: GE Citizenship
This information lists the many aspects of how GE has incorporated sustainability into their company ranging from the well-being and health of employees, to their reduction in carbon emissions and water usage. Also listed here is all of their goals and metrics they have in place to rate their sustainability mission as well as how they are reaching them, all available for consumers to read and report on.
Social Impact
GE has a well established social campaign, especially notable in their new campaign, “Healhymagination.” Healthymagination is a website and social tool that according to their website, “is a shared commitment to creating better health for more people.” Their goal is to promote well-being and community through making healthier choices in many aspects of your life. The website is essentially a two-tiered tool for users. One, it provides information about what you can do to make small steps towards a healthier life. Second, it acts as a social support system that encourages people to share their stories and personal tips to all.
Diversity
25% of General Electric’s Board of Directors are woman, which is a large amount compared to similar companies.
Greenwashing
After reviewing the ads that GE has promoted through television, Internet and print medias, and comparing them to their sustainability goals and achievements, I believe that their message is genuine. The ads do not boast their energy reduction in extreme measures nor do they make many numerical claims in what they are doing. The messages simply reflect their initial message which is the betterment of people. All of their ads are listed on their website which contains links to what they have done for sustainability (listed above in the GE Citizenship Report). Here is an example of an ad that GE is airing on television: V-Scan from GE Healthcare
As you see in this ad they simply state what they have produced and how this will help the advancement of medicine. They don’t say it that it will cure diseases or save the world, just that they have an instrument that very well can change the way doctors work with patients.
Enviornmental Impact
As noted earlier, GE has a very transparent set of information pertaining to sustainability. At the linkl listed above you can reach various reports ranging from water usage to the health of employers. What makes this information so viable is that it displays their goals right beside what they are actually doing. Some of the many improvements they are making include:
General Electric has extensive transparency to the point where they encourage people to look at their records and performance. They provide easily accessible records that are not only available, but easy to read. The link to this information is here: GE Citizenship
This information lists the many aspects of how GE has incorporated sustainability into their company ranging from the well-being and health of employees, to their reduction in carbon emissions and water usage. Also listed here is all of their goals and metrics they have in place to rate their sustainability mission as well as how they are reaching them, all available for consumers to read and report on.
Social Impact
GE has a well established social campaign, especially notable in their new campaign, “Healhymagination.” Healthymagination is a website and social tool that according to their website, “is a shared commitment to creating better health for more people.” Their goal is to promote well-being and community through making healthier choices in many aspects of your life. The website is essentially a two-tiered tool for users. One, it provides information about what you can do to make small steps towards a healthier life. Second, it acts as a social support system that encourages people to share their stories and personal tips to all.
Diversity
25% of General Electric’s Board of Directors are woman, which is a large amount compared to similar companies.
Greenwashing
After reviewing the ads that GE has promoted through television, Internet and print medias, and comparing them to their sustainability goals and achievements, I believe that their message is genuine. The ads do not boast their energy reduction in extreme measures nor do they make many numerical claims in what they are doing. The messages simply reflect their initial message which is the betterment of people. All of their ads are listed on their website which contains links to what they have done for sustainability (listed above in the GE Citizenship Report). Here is an example of an ad that GE is airing on television: V-Scan from GE Healthcare
As you see in this ad they simply state what they have produced and how this will help the advancement of medicine. They don’t say it that it will cure diseases or save the world, just that they have an instrument that very well can change the way doctors work with patients.
Enviornmental Impact
As noted earlier, GE has a very transparent set of information pertaining to sustainability. At the linkl listed above you can reach various reports ranging from water usage to the health of employers. What makes this information so viable is that it displays their goals right beside what they are actually doing. Some of the many improvements they are making include:
- Injury & Illness Rate ↓ 12%
- Lost Time Rate ↓ 17%
- Air Exceedances ↓ 53%
- Wastewater Exceedances ↓ 8%
- Spills & Releases ↓ 29%
- GHGs ↓ 13%
- Water Use Flat
- 29 New VPP/Global Star sites in 14 countries
- 650 External EHS Excellence Recognitions from governments and customers
- 19 percent reduction in recordable injuries and illnesses
- 17 percent reduction in lost time cases
- 33 percent reduction in wastewater exceedances
- 0 fines
- 0 notices of noncompliance
- 100 percent completion of regulatory required training
- 33 percent reduction in spills and releases
Hewlett Packard
Transparency
Believe it or not the world’s largest computer company, Hewlett Packard, is a genuinely honest and forward company about their goal and commitment to being a sustainable partner with our environment. HP continues to provide concrete evidence for their consumers about the company and their products with facts and timelines to ensure the validity of their information.
Social Impact
Because of HP’s large recycling efforts they have become a focal point in making sure that we are reusing and making new technology from the old. HP is working closely with a not-for-profit organization called Cristina’s Foundation which helps supply those charities and schools who are in need of technology. Efforts such as these are making a world of difference in the lives of many school children and individuals around the world and giving them an opportunity to explore the world through technology.
Diversity
The company prides itself on its legacy of diversity within the company, especially those contributions to women. The company was started by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard; none of which could have been possible without the support and aid of Dave’s wife Lucile. Lucile was the backbone of the company and bread winner in the early years of the company while Bill and Dave began research and development.
Lucile is the sole reason why contributions have been set-up not only for women but also minorities, homosexuals, the deaf, etc.
Greenwashing
HP is a large proponent of reusing and recycling computer parts to ensure we can make the most of precious resources. In fact, HP was the first computer manufacturer to operate its own recycling facility which began in 1997. Since HP began this process they have successfully recycling more than 1 billion pounds of materials.
The message that HP is sending to their consumers is honest and does not show signs of greenwashing whatsoever.
Environmental Impact
HP is working with the World Wildlife and SmartWay, a program through the Environmental Protection Agency, to help sustain the environment we have and preserve our natural resources.
What is being done with both of these companies?
Believe it or not the world’s largest computer company, Hewlett Packard, is a genuinely honest and forward company about their goal and commitment to being a sustainable partner with our environment. HP continues to provide concrete evidence for their consumers about the company and their products with facts and timelines to ensure the validity of their information.
Social Impact
Because of HP’s large recycling efforts they have become a focal point in making sure that we are reusing and making new technology from the old. HP is working closely with a not-for-profit organization called Cristina’s Foundation which helps supply those charities and schools who are in need of technology. Efforts such as these are making a world of difference in the lives of many school children and individuals around the world and giving them an opportunity to explore the world through technology.
Diversity
The company prides itself on its legacy of diversity within the company, especially those contributions to women. The company was started by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard; none of which could have been possible without the support and aid of Dave’s wife Lucile. Lucile was the backbone of the company and bread winner in the early years of the company while Bill and Dave began research and development.
Lucile is the sole reason why contributions have been set-up not only for women but also minorities, homosexuals, the deaf, etc.
Greenwashing
HP is a large proponent of reusing and recycling computer parts to ensure we can make the most of precious resources. In fact, HP was the first computer manufacturer to operate its own recycling facility which began in 1997. Since HP began this process they have successfully recycling more than 1 billion pounds of materials.
The message that HP is sending to their consumers is honest and does not show signs of greenwashing whatsoever.
Environmental Impact
HP is working with the World Wildlife and SmartWay, a program through the Environmental Protection Agency, to help sustain the environment we have and preserve our natural resources.
What is being done with both of these companies?
- “Through our partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) we aim to reach across the globe to set new standards for environmental leadership. Projects such as The Epicenter for Climate Conservation and Climate Witness focus on analysis, research and data collection in order to reduce HP's greenhouse gas emissions, improve product energy use, and educate and inspire others to do the same. We are partnering with WWF and other business leaders to urge the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that will reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, spur technological innovation, invest in effective solutions and jumpstart a clean energy economy, both in the U.S. and around the world.”
- “Smartway is a voluntary partnership between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry and is designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions produced during the shipping process. HP was the first company to be approved by the US EPA to display the SmartWay logo on its product packaging. In 2008, HP was honored with a Smartway Excellence Award indicating HP's significant contributions to more sustainable transportation practices.”
Walmart
Transparency
Walmart is the epitome of a transparent company and it shows through the people high up in the company. Andrew Ruben, Vice President for strategy and sustainability, states that Walmart is on their way to becoming a sustainable company through their efforts of using alternative energy sources, selling products that are sustainable and eco-friendly and spreading awareness throughout their company as well as the community.
To read the report with Andrew Ruben please click here.
Social Impact
Using high traffic media outlets such as their website allows Walmart to spread the word of sustainability and green living to millions of individuals. Their social campaigns and articles allow customers and visitors to access information they need in order to change their lifestyle and become greener. Some of the articles pulled directly from their website are as follows:
Diversity
In Walmart’s 2009 sustainability report it is stated that the company is increasing the number of women and minorities working for the company to ensure the diverse and equal treatment of all applicants.
Walmart sets goals for both their staff and suppliers to ensure the progression of diversity:
Greenwashing
After reviewing the information provided by Walmart and looking over the advertisements and messages they have been showcasing I do not believe that this company in greenwashing in anyway. First of all the company rarely exploits the fact that they are making sustainable efforts and they are going about their business plan of moving towards a more sustainable business and promote sustainable living.
Walmart is in the process of revamping their business model to become more sustainable by transferring over to renewable energy sources and cutting down on their carbon footprint.
Environmental Impact
Walmart has set ambitious goals for itself in their project “Sustainability 360.” Sustainability 360 is focused around three core goals:
Walmart is the epitome of a transparent company and it shows through the people high up in the company. Andrew Ruben, Vice President for strategy and sustainability, states that Walmart is on their way to becoming a sustainable company through their efforts of using alternative energy sources, selling products that are sustainable and eco-friendly and spreading awareness throughout their company as well as the community.
To read the report with Andrew Ruben please click here.
Social Impact
Using high traffic media outlets such as their website allows Walmart to spread the word of sustainability and green living to millions of individuals. Their social campaigns and articles allow customers and visitors to access information they need in order to change their lifestyle and become greener. Some of the articles pulled directly from their website are as follows:
- 10 Ways to Use Less and Recycle More
- Eco-conscious Children
- Green Gardening
- Vacation Conservation
Diversity
In Walmart’s 2009 sustainability report it is stated that the company is increasing the number of women and minorities working for the company to ensure the diverse and equal treatment of all applicants.
Walmart sets goals for both their staff and suppliers to ensure the progression of diversity:
- “In the U.S., the compensation of officers and select managers is linked to individual diversity goals. Failure to meet them means a potential 15 percent bonus reduction. This year, 100 percent of our officers and 99 percent of more than 50,000 members of management achieved their diversity goal objectives.”
- “Since the program’s inception, Wal-Mart’s overall supplier diversity spending has grown from $2 million in 1994 to more than $6 billion spent with minority- and women-owned suppliers today.”
- Information above was pulled directly from Walmart’s 2009 Sustainability Report
Greenwashing
After reviewing the information provided by Walmart and looking over the advertisements and messages they have been showcasing I do not believe that this company in greenwashing in anyway. First of all the company rarely exploits the fact that they are making sustainable efforts and they are going about their business plan of moving towards a more sustainable business and promote sustainable living.
Walmart is in the process of revamping their business model to become more sustainable by transferring over to renewable energy sources and cutting down on their carbon footprint.
Environmental Impact
Walmart has set ambitious goals for itself in their project “Sustainability 360.” Sustainability 360 is focused around three core goals:
- Be supplied 100% renewable energy
- Create zero waste
- Sell products that sustain our resources and environment
