“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…
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…
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…
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China is a concept that over the last 20 years has changed nearly as dramatically as its economy and skylines. Something largely seen as driven by the top, or as a result of Western influence, over the last 20 years Chinese firms have moved from follower to leader. It is a trend that has grown more noticeable as Chinese companies have begun to expand ov…
This week we answer a question about what small to medium sized businesses can do to be more sustainable ? #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 sustainability or building business models to solve the challenges faced…
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…
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, strategic CSR. ? #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series built entirely on answering your questions, and through that provi…
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…
On this episode, I answer the question "Why don't all businesses and companies realize that sustainability must be incorporated 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 li…
This week we answer the question "Is Corporate Responsibility 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…
Hennes & Mauritz AB or H&M, the Swedish fashion giant, is in big trouble. According to its quarterly report released on 27 March 2018, the world's second-largest clothing retailer is now sitting on $4.3 billion of unsold garments and accessories. To reduce the stockpile, the company is planning to cut prices, slow expansion in stores, and boost its e-commerce instead. It may even get unsol…
One of the largest health disparities present in China is the inequality between rural and urban healthcare. In particular, rural patients face barriers to equal resources to healthcare access. There are less than half as many medical institution beds and licensed physicians per 1,000 citizens in rural areas compared to urban areas. In even more isolated areas where there are only small township h…
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 systems, be it reduce waste or deliver a new product to the market (that solves big problems). Each of these had the support of executives and teams who were engaged on the issues of sustainability, were com…
In the coming years, China is facing significant challenges in the healthcare sphere and one of the most formidable will be public perception. A particularly pervasive and damaging perception in China is the distrust of physicians. Without well-established patient-physician trust, the mission of delivering quality healthcare is significantly set back. DOCTORS ARE NEEDED, BUT NOT TRUSTED Being a…
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…
