Government tells businesses to place emphasis on green goods
Published : July 2008
Businesses have been told by the government that consumer products will need to become increasingly green, with the environmental impact of goods heavily reduced. Eco-friendly items are increasingly to become “the normal items on our shelves”.
Initiatives, both new and ongoing, being implemented by the government include working with manufacturers and retailers to phase out inefficient products such as old fashioned light bulbs, high-energy laptop and mobile phone chargers, and wasteful white-goods like fridge-freezers and washing machines. In addition, milk cartons will be made of 50 per cent recycled materials by the end of next decade.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that the work the government is doing will benefit businesses and consumers in the long-run through lower energy bills. The government believes that green initiatives can be a profitable opportunity for businesses, with real economic incentives, as well as forming part of CSR obligations.
Two reports detail the initiatives underway that will help companies in the pursuit of sustainable production, recycling and waste management across sectors including appliances, clothing and food. The Sustainable Products and Materials report and The Waste Strategy report are both available from www.defra.gov.uk/environment.
The Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, said: “Many businesses are already taking positive steps to reduce the environmental impact of their products, and are seeing the real benefits this can have, both for them and their customers. But as fuel prices rise, commodities become scarcer, and families are feeling the pinch, it becomes ever more important for businesses to use resources more efficiently throughout the supply chain. Those that don’t will miss out on potential savings, as well as big opportunities for growth.”
The update follows in the footsteps of another government report, ‘Food Matters’, released last week, that promised to help UK food producers and farmers in the fight against climate change and the global food crisis.