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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Does Corporate Social Responsibility Give A License to Do Bad? | AskTheCollective 024

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…

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Where Can I Have the Greatest Impact? Entrepreneurship, MNC, NGO, or Government | AsktheCollective 022

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about where individuals can have the greatest impact as entrepreneurs or employees of NGOs, multinational companies, or as government officials. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE! #About the AsktheCollective Series: As a way to engage with you, our audience,…

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Selling Sustainability Solutions to China: Engagements and Pilots | AsktheCollective 021

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about the scale of China's market for Selling Sustainability Solutions, and leverage the success of pilot projects to build a scalable business model As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!   #About the AsktheCollective Series: As a way to engage with you…

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Will China Save or Destroy World? What’s the Business Opportunity? | AsktheCollective Episode 020

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about whether China will destroy or save the world, a question I am frequently asked about, and what the opportunities for business and entrepreneurs are to deliver solutions to the market. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!  #About the AsktheCollective Serie…

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CSR Programs, Partnerships, and Pitfalls in China | #AsktheCollective 019

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about how firms can develop CSR programs and partnerships in China, and speak about some of the common pitfalls to be avoided. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!   #About the AsktheCollective Series: As a way to engage with you, our audience, we are…

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Shanghai, Hong Kong or Singapore. Which is Better for Social Entrepreneurship? | AsktheCollective 018

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about whether I would rather be an entrepreneur in Shanghai, Hong Kong or Singapore. It is a question that I answered from my perspective, and in the context of the platforms that I have built, so if you have another view, please share it! As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and…

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Singapore, Sustainability, and Trump Leaving Paris Accord | #AsktheCollective 017

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I answer questions from the voice of #AsktheCollective, Augustine Lee, about what Singapore can learn from China regarding sustainability, and what Trump leaving the Paris Accord means for Singapore.   As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE! #Timestamps 01:04 –…

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