Healthy Business Strategies - Clean Production Action

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only in 55-gallon drums in factories or in bottles in the cleaning cabinet at home. Companies use chemicals in the manufacturing process for almost every product and as ingredients in the items themselves. yet we know almost nothing about what chemicals are in everyday products and therefore little about the hazards they may pose. We do know that some widely used chemicals last for decades, travel long distances from their point of origin, concentrate as they move up the food chain and can cause serious health problems for humans and animals. This is the outcome of the “toxic chemical economy,” a market where chemical manufacturers make highly hazardous chemicals, product manufacturers add the chemicals into their materials and products, and workers, communities, consumers, mothers, babies and the environment are exposed to the chemicals. Studies documenting the presence of these chemicals in human tissue, umbilical cord blood, breast milk, food and dust are a sign that companies must change their product’s ingredients and governments must revamp laws to responsibly regulate the use of chemicals and catalyze the transition to green chemistry. In fact, some chemically conscious companies are already doing this by phasing out hazardous chemicals in everyday products such as furniture, electronics, cosmetics, fabric and clothing. The solution — Healthy Business strategies Six chemically conscious companies are profiled in this report (see Table 1). We selected these firms to represent large and small business in different sectors of the economy to show companies at different places on the path towards chemical consciousness. None of these companies have perfected the manufacture and use of products made entirely from green chemicals and some are further along than others. Our case studies highlight the initiatives of these companies to transform the toxic chemical economy into a healthy chemical economy — a market where manufacturers make products entirely from chemicals and materials that are safe and healthy for humans and the environment. All the companies highlighted here are aware of the dangers posed by toxic chemicals and are taking action to reduce their use. Although their individual actions to address toxic chemicals vary, their best practices, when gathered together, define the terrain of healthy chemical strategies: • Identify all chemicals in their products. • Eliminate toxic chemicals. • Strive to manufacture and use only healthy ingredients in their products. • Design new products. • Innovate — design new products and develop novel partnerships. • Work collaboratively with environmental advocates. • Take responsibility for products from cradle-to-grave. Require data from suppliers on chemicals and materials used healthy business strategies for transforming the toxic chemical economy
TABLE 1: company Innovation and chemical Policy Highlights company Industry Featured Innovation chemical Policy Highlights Avalon Personal Care Products Dell Electronics H&M Clothing Retailer Herman Miller Office, Healthcare, Education and Residential Furnishings Interface Fabrics and Carpet Reformulate line of cosmetic products Adopted healthy chemicals policies PvC-free t-shirt and numerous other clothing items Mirra® Chair— Award winning design Terratex PLA®— Award winning plant-based office interior fabric Kaiser Permanente Health Care PvC-free carpet in products. Work with suppliers to create healthy ingredients. Design products to be reused, recycled or composted. Take products back at end-of-life. • Adopt internal chemical policies, including the use of lower threshold of scientific certainty when threats of serious or irreversible damage to the environment become apparent — also known as the precautionary principle. • Support laws that promote green chemistry and eliminate toxic chemicals. Their motivations for taking action beyond compliance initiatives range from: pure business rationale such as product differentiation, cost savings and reputation management to deeply held values such as customer, E x E C u T I v E S u M M A R y Healthy Business Strategies Eliminate known and suspected hazards Mainstream the precautionary principle in the electronics industry Develop and enforce strict protocol with suppliers to eliminate hazards in products use innovative eco-design protocol to guide product development Complete evaluation of chemicals used to manufacture fabric Spur product development through supplier partnership community and worker health and wellbeing. Like all businesses, our six case study companies want to avoid “toxic scares” and gain the long-term confidence of their customers. In all six cases, their work to reduce chemical hazards enhanced their brand reputation with investors, customers and environmental advocates. Some companies achieved considerable savings in the process. Others launched new product lines that differentiated them from their competitors. In several cases, their innovations led to the creation of new submarkets. Taken together, they exemplify the journey companies must embark on if they are serious about creating a healthy chemical economy. healthy business strategies for transforming the toxic chemical economy
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Healthy Business Strategies - Clean Production Action

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