Draft Business Waste Strategy PDF - london.gov.uk - Greater ...

102 Mayor of London
Making waste work in London The Mayor’s Draft Business Waste Management Strategy
5 Incentives for change: an opportunity
to make money
Introduction
5.1 The environmental impacts from consumption and production patterns
remain severe. Research undertaken by Green Alliance has shown that
98 per cent of resources going into the economy end up as waste after
six months 226 . Product and packaging design has a clear role in reducing
waste and using resources productively. Design can determine up to
80 per cent of a product’s environmental impacts 227 . Integrating
environmental considerations at the design stage, preferably mandated by
the client through their procurement requirements, is the most effective
method to improve the environmental performance of the products that
are bought and sold. Waste, after all, is simply a design flaw.
5.2 Whilst London’s declining manufacturing industry may indicate a small
role in waste prevention, design in fact extends beyond the studio and
the production floor, to the boardroom. As the majority of businesses in
London have a head office in London or are the head office 228 , they wield
considerable design power by being at the forefront of decisions made
at the commissioning stage. Specifying the branding, look and feel,
market positioning and target audience for a product will have a
significant influence over the materials used.
5.3 Another area of huge potential is the direct procurement of goods.
At 13 per cent of GDP 229 or a budget of over £125 billion per annum 230 ,
the scale of the public sector spend is capable of stimulating the
market for more sustainable goods and services through direct
procurement decisions. Increasing London’s green public and private
sector procurement would cause the market of green products to
change overnight. With this sort of investment, green products would
become a more viable alternative for small businesses in terms of
availability and price.
5.4 Consumers are increasingly demanding goods and products to
be manufactured and delivered in an environmentally responsible way.
Shoppers spent about £26 billion in 2004 on ethical and environmental
products, an increase of 15 per cent on the previous year 231 . Many
businesses are increasing their green product range to satisfy this demand.
5.5 This chapter will outline the principles of sustainable design. The effective
implementation of which, through design and procurement, will shape
business purchasing and consumer behaviour across London and beyond.