All Articles About Sustainable Consumption

BSR Insight Article: Is Sustainability a Factor in Your Purchasing Decisions?

Ted Howes, Former Director, Advisory Services Joyce Sood, Former Digital Communications Manager

In a new video, Bay Area residents tackle the issue of sustainable consumption as it relates to everyday purchasing decisions. Read more →

Posted: November 13, 2012 | Topics: Consumer Products, Sustainable Consumption

BSR Insight Article: New York Times’ Haili Cao on Sustainable Consumption

In one of 27 video interviews conducted with speakers and attendees at the BSR Conference 2012, Haili Cao, managing editor of the New York Times Chinese website, reflected on changes in the sustainability landscape in the past 20 years. Read more →

Posted: November 13, 2012 | Topics: Conference, Sustainable Consumption

Blog: Do You Like to Go ‘Shwopping’?

Paul Massey, EVP Weber Shandwick, Social Impact

According to Marc Bolland, chief executive of British retailer Marks and Spencer Group (M&S), it’s something we all should be talking about, particularly as we head into the holiday season. During the opening session of the BSR Conference 2012 Wednesday, Bolland reflected on M&S’s work to coin this new term with the goal of sparking consumer engagement in sustainability Read more →

Posted: October 24, 2012 | Topics: Conference, Consumer Products, Sustainable Consumption

BSR Insight Article: No Oxymoron in ‘Sustainable Fashion’

Julia Robinson, Communications Associate

The fashion industry has come under increasing scrutiny for its environmental footprint as well as for ballooning hyper-consumption. BSR's new brief, "Sustainable Fashion Design: Oxymoron No More?," explores the trends shaping sustainable fashion and design. Although sustainable fashion remains a niche trend, larger companies, such as Marks and Spencer, are starting to explore the concept. According to the report, most industry efforts have focused on materials selection and fail to consider opportunities such as developing more durable designs, the recyclability of garments, considerations around laundering (which affects both energy and water use), and the importance of accounting for consumption patterns. The report also focuses on how "slow fashion"—with fewer production cycles, and "evergreen" clothing designs that are not tied to ephemeral trends—can influence consumers to buy less. Read more →

Posted: October 16, 2012 | Topics: Consumer Products, Sustainable Consumption

Report: Sustainable Fashion Design: Oxymoron No More?

Susanne LeBlanc, Analyst, Advisory Services, BSR

Design choices are some of the most important levers in creating more sustainable products. From inventing new concepts, selecting materials and construction methods to influencing broader choices about manufacturing and disposal, designers play a key role in achieving sustainability. Read more →

Posted: October 10, 2012 | Topics: Consumer Products, Sustainable Consumption | Download (PDF)