For 30 years, the West has believed that by separating our waste into colored bins, we could live a life of fast consumption without worrying about the planetary impact. That as “recyclers”, we were doing our part. However, that fantasy began to unravel last year as a combination of China’s waste ban mixed with images of ocean plastics, brought the realities front and center. In China however,…
For many firms who have invested significant time and resources into building sustainability into their brands, or launching entirely new business units where sustainability is the core of the business, the struggle to identify (and convert) consumers who time and time again say they are willing to support “sustainable” brands who are “more sustainable. It is a challenge for many entrepreneurs,…
While the challenges and environmental costs of our food and agricultural systems are becoming understood by the mass market, and concerns over food security, affordability, and safety are at their peak, the opportunities entrepreneurs and innovators to deliver innovations in product and process are growing by the day. To help participants better understand the megatrends and business models fo…
ABOUT EVENT As China’s cities struggle to manage the exponential growth of urban waste streams, the need for circular systems where waste is a resource is clear. Through this event, participants will hear about the potential for entrepreneurs and young professionals about the opportunities to develop businesses and careers that will help close the loop on waste to overcome this challenge. h…
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 about the trillion dollar opportunity for innovation and entrepreneurship to build innovative business models, products, or services. Through this event, participants will hear from…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
In this episode I answer a question about whether or not I think corporate social responsibility (CSR) gives companies license to do bad. It is a question with roots in the recent Freakonomics Podcast Does Doing Good Give You License to Be Bad? () and the rebuttal by Chris Jarvis on the Engage for Good Podcast Does Doing Good with CSR Really Give Companies, Employees License to be Bad? As…
