All Articles About Consumer Products

Report: The New Frontier in Sustainability

Framed for years as a limitation on business, sustainable consumption—an economic system that allows all individuals to meet their daily needs without disrupting the planet’s healthy ecosystems—actually represents the new frontier of sustainability for business. In a world where our consumption patterns outpace the planet’s ability to regenerate resources by 30 percent, companies that figure out how to deliver value with radically reduced material inputs will be well-positioned for success. Our new report outlines how business can promote sustainable consumption by addressing parts of the value chain cycle that have been overlooked in first-generation sustainability efforts: product design, consumer engagement and use, and end-of-use. Also included are strategies that will help business redefine core activities through the multiple lenses of innovation, education, collaboration, and measurement to create to systemwide changes to consumption. Read more →

Posted: July 28, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment, Strategy & Integration, Sustainable Consumption | Download (PDF)

BSR Insight Article: How Can Companies Use Life-Cycle Metrics for Sustainable Consumption?

Virginia Terry, Manager, Advisory Services

Now in its third year, the World Economic Forum's (WEF) sustainable consumption work is moving toward tangible actions in three different work streams: engaging consumers, exchanging innovation, and life-cycle metrics. Read more →

Posted: July 27, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment, Strategy & Integration, Toxicity & Product Design

BSR Insight Article: Business Opportunities in Sustainable Consumption

Linda Hwang, Former Manager, Research

Not long ago, Southern California Edison conducted an experiment aimed at lowering household energy use. The utility company gave its customers ambient orbs that glowed red when their energy use was high and green when use was low. Within weeks, energy use in this pilot group declined by 40 percent during peak periods. Read more →

Posted: July 13, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment, Strategy & Integration, Toxicity & Product Design

Report: Building Long-Term Solutions: Retail Shopping Bag Impacts and Options

Marshall Chase, Associate Director, Advisory Services

The purpose of this report is to provide a high-level understanding of the environmental impacts of different kinds of bags, and to identify the types and magnitudes of environmental impacts associated with each kind of bag through a literature review of four publicly available life-cycle assessment studies. Read more →

Posted: July 6, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment | Download (PDF)

Blog: Retailers, Shopping Bags, and Getting Ahead of the “Green Police”

Marshall Chase, Associate Director, Advisory Services

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Posted: June 15, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Sustainable Consumption