Eco Packaging
Environmental Responsibility & Working Toward A Sustainable Future
The United Nations defines sustainable development in the Brundtland Report as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It assumes that resources are finite, and so should be used conservatively and carefully to ensure that there is enough for future generations, without decreasing present quality of life. A sustainable society must be socially responsible, focussing on environmental protection and dynamic equilibrium in human and natural systems.
The 3 Pillars of Sustainability
The concept of sustainability is composed of three pillars: environmental, social and economic, also known informally as profits, planet, and people. These are in particular relevance to corporate sustainability, and efforts made by companies.
Environmental Protection
is the most frequently discussed element, concerned with the reduction of carbon footprints, water usage, non-decomposable packaging, and wasteful processes as part of a supply chain. These processes can often be cost-effective, and financially useful as well as important for environmental sustainability.
Social Development
is about treating employees fairly and ensuring responsible, ethical, and sustainable treatment of employees, stakeholders, and the community in which a business operates. This may be achieved through more responsive benefits, like better maternity and paternity benefits, flexible scheduling, and learning and development opportunities. For example, businesses should operate using sustainable labour, which involves fairly-paid, adult employees who can operate in a safe environment.
Economic Development
is probably the simplest form of sustainability. To be economically sustainable, a business must be profitable and produce enough revenues to be continued into the future. The challenge with this form of sustainability is achieving an equilibrium. Rather than making money at any cost, companies should attempt to generate profit in accordance with all other elements of sustainability, which is a concept fully endorsed and practised at AxelJack Brewery.
Focussing on social and environmental sustainability in addition to economic performance is an approach frequently referred to as the Triple Bottom Line..Which informs and shapes our decision making in relation to our choice of packaging materials.
