Sustainability: The Next Trillion Dollar Economy
As the challenges of environmental, social, and economic sustainability grow more and more tangible, and calls for action growing more frequent, we would like to invite you to our March 13 event in Shanghai to learn why we see sustainability as the next trillion dollar economy. Through this event, participants will hear from entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors on their work to develop and…
ZhongGu Charity: Giving Computers A Second Life in Rural China
According to the report of The Global E-waste Monitor 2017, only one-fifth of the 44.7 million tons of e-waste generated worldwide was recycled in 2016. In China, which generates the most e-waste by volume both in Asia and in the world (7.2 Mt), is estimated that by 2021, and the total amount of e-waste will dispose of more than 52.2 million tons. With the economic growth and the rapid upgradin…
New Report: Food Waste Management in China
“Many food waste treatment companies come to us, hoping to apply for the sale permit of fertilizers reprocessed from food waste. However, because there is no existing standard on such fertilizers now, we cannot issue any permits and [food waste treatment] companies cannot sell them to anyone. I think the absence of an official market will be a big challenge for those treatment companies.” — Shangh…
Textile Waste, Incineration, and Opportunities for Innovation | AsktheCollective 034
In this week's AsktheCollective, we answer a question about textile recycling, and speak to the recent news that H&M and Burberry have been incinerating their textile waste. A waste stream that we have covered recently as part of our work here in China. Part of the issue, as e have found, is that the process of recycling itself is one where there is a wide range of practices. Many of whi…
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Podcasts
Over the last few years, as reading has taken a backseat to video, a large number of awesome podcast channels have begun to spring up. Many of which offer excellent insights, or interviews, on topics of sustainability, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. The below is a list that we have put together, knowing full well that there are many others. Which we invite you to list in the comment…
Sustainability for SMEs | AskTheCollective 031
This week on Ask the Collective, we answer a question about Sustainability for SMEs, and what small to medium sized businesses can do to be more sustainable. A topic I am frequently asked to address at events, and in conversations with friends, and for which there are a lot of options for engagement. #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series built entire…
Collective Responsibility’s News Roundup: Communicating Bad News, Plastic Bans Don’t Work, and LEGO Windmills
With so much going on in the realm of sustainability, leadership, and innovation, and only a limited amount of bandwidth for professionals in this space, we have created this weekly news to highlight articles that we feel are (1) important, (2) relevant, and (3) interesting in the areas of business sustainability. If you have an article that you feel needs to be mentioned, please let us know in…
How Important is Having a Localized China CSR Strategy? | AskTheCollective 030
This week we answer a question from our newest intern, Anais. An MBA student at Jiaotong University, her questions were focused on the alignment between CSR and business, and whether or not firms in China need to have, or benefit from, China CSR Strategy that is unique to China. #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series built entirely on answering you…
Do Chinese Firms Invest in CSR & Sustainability? | AsktheCollective 029
This week we answer we answer a question about whether or not Chinese firms are investing in CSR (and sustainability), and if so, how are their programs different than Western MNCs #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series built entirely on answering your questions, and through that provide a different level of value to the community of those interested in…
Why Don’t Companies Integrate Sustainability into Business? | AsktheCollective 028
On this episode, I answer the question "Why don't all businesses and companies integrate sustainability into their practices to ensure their long term survival and success?" It is an important question, and we hope that you will gain some insights, and inspirations, from the answer. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and…
Is CSR Dead? | Ask the Collective 027
This week we answer the question "Is CSR Dead?" It is a question that we have been speaking frequently on lately as many firms look to overhaul their CSR programs, get away from having seperate departments, and are more generally looking to understand the ROI of CSR to the firm as a "non-business" essential. #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series buil…
Overcoming the Obstacles to Sustainability | AsktheCollective 026
For progress to be made in overcoming the obstacles to sustainability, we first must understand what those obstacles are and why they exist. Topics that I have spent a lot of time considering recently as over the last few months, we have been fortunate to be engaged on a number of what we consider to be “best in class” projects. Projects where the opportunity to help our clients change their…
China’s Plastic Ban and Getting Beyond Beach Cleanups | AskTheCollective 025
With China’s recent “plastic ban”, the recent National Geographic Magazine cover, and reports of brands banning straws, the story of plastic is one that is becoming more widely understood in China, and it is the focus this episode of AsktheCollective where I answer the questions of one viewer who would like to know more about China's recent plastic ban, what other regulations are coming, and when…
We Are Hiring!
To accomplish the mission and goals that we have set for ourselves, for our clients, and for the community, we are constantly on the look out for people with the passion and tools to solve big environmental, economic, and social challenges, and this month we are specifically looking for: Business Development Director Sustainability Analyst If you seen an opening that excites you, and t…