BSR Insight Articles About Consumer Products

Helping Your Suppliers Improve Their Sustainability Efforts

Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Research

To increase the reach of sustainability efforts, companies are using sophisticated questionnaires, scorecards, and indices as tools for supplier engagement. However, companies often superimpose their own sustainability goals on suppliers without considering how these tools could enable stronger governance structures, systems, and strategies for suppliers. Read more →

Posted: December 13, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain

HP, Dell, and Nokia Top Greenpeace’s Green Products Ranking

Greenpeace’s 2011 “Guide to Greener Electronics” ranks 15 leading mobile phone, TV, and computer manufacturers on their policies and practices to reduce climate impacts, produce greener products, and make their operations more sustainable. HP, Dell, and Nokia top the list of the greenest manufacturers, while LG Electronics, Toshiba, and RIM take the bottom three ranks. Read more →

Posted: November 29, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Information & Communications Technology, Reporting & Communications, Supply Chain

The Sustainability Opportunity in Product Obsolescence

Marshall Chase, Associate Director, Advisory Services

On the last day of the BSR Conference 2011, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn noted that we have about five years to address the world’s critical sustainability challenges. But to do this, he added, we need new business models. Read more →

Posted: November 15, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Information & Communications Technology, Strategy & Integration, Toxicity & Product Design

Reflections From the BSR Conference 2011: We Have the Will—and the Power—to Act

Kara Hurst, Former Vice President

In his opening address at the BSR Conference 2011, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore talked about the “functional insanity” of CEOs and CFOs who choose short-term gains over long-term sustainability. He referenced a study in which these leaders were asked what they would do if they were given a chance to make an investment that would increase their company’s profitability and sustainability—with the catch being that they would miss their quarterly targets. Eighty percent said they would not make the investment.   Read more →

Posted: November 7, 2011 | Topics: Conflict Minerals, Consumer Products, Environment, Governance & Accountability, Health Care, Human Rights, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain, Transportation, Travel & Tourism

A Practical Guide to Social and Environmental Compliance in the Licensing Industry

Cody Sisco, Former Manager, Advisory Services

BSR’s new guide—created with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association and BSR’s Licensing Working Group (which includes representatives from Hasbro, NBCUniversal, Time Warner, and the Walt Disney Company)—helps the licensing industry promote social and environmental standards among a complex network of licensors, licensees, agents, suppliers, factories, and retailers. Read more →

Posted: November 1, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Environment, Reporting & Communications, Supply Chain