The ROI of Ends: Turning ESG into Consumer Connection
Companies are investing heavily in sustainability, often driven by compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Publicly listed businesses spend between $220,000 and $480,000 annually on sustainability ratings1. Yet, despite this investment, many fail to communicate these efforts effectively to consumers, relying on symbols and data points that are poorly understood.
Extended Producer Responsibility: A Consumer-Centric Approach
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is gaining momentum, aiming to shift the burden of waste management from society and the environment back to producers. As this movement gains traction, it's crucial to consider how consumers will experience and engage with EPR initiatives. While many businesses focus on the material outcomes of EPR, such as reducing plastic waste, few are examining how these changes will impact their customers' experiences. Let's explore the various dimensions through which consumers will interact with EPR.
Bias Benevolence
Charity is said to begin at home, but it might be more accurate to say that it begins with a sale. It’s often at the point of purchase that a consumer finds it easiest to behave benevolently. Can we say the same about the end? Do we care as much about who dismantles our electronics, processes our waste, or recycles our plastic? Or do we find our charities surrendered to a consumption cycle like everything else.
