When the UK public votes in next year’s general election, they will be voting for a moment of reckoning for big business, according to research showing how the public has lost trust in how some companies and bosses conduct themselves. A Populus/FT survey found that 61 percent of voters want the party that wins to be tougher on big business, following controversies over executive pay, tax avoidance and the enduring effects of the financial crash. John Cridland, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: “There’s a trust issue for some parts of the large corporate sector,” noting that bad behaviour in some sectors, notably banks, had contaminated the image of business more generally. Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors, added: “The reputation of corporate Britain suffered a body blow in the fallout of the financial crisis, and has been further injured by damaging revelations on rate fixing, mis-selling and allegations of competition breaking down in key markets.” (Financial Times)*
Coca-Cola to remove controversial drinks ingredient
The world’s largest beverage-maker, Coca-Cola, plans to remove a controversial ingredient from some of its US drinks brands by the end of this year, following an online petition. Brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is found in Coca-Cola fruit and sports drinks such as Fanta and Powerade. Rival Pepsi removed the chemical from its Gatorade sports drink last year. According to medical researchers, excessive consumption of soft drinks containing BVO has been linked to negative health effects. However, Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold stressed the move to remove BVO was not an issue of safety. “All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safe and always have been – and comply with all regulations in the countries where they are sold.” Coca-Cola’s decision to remove BVO from its drink reflects a growing move among companies to reconsider certain practices due to public pressure. Following the announcement by Coca-Cola, Ms Kavanagh, the creator of the campaign, said: “It’s really good to know that companies, especially big companies, are listening to consumers.” (BBC News)
Supply Chain
Fashion and textile leaders for forest conservation begin shift to forest-free viscose
Several of the world’s most influential clothing brands have gathered in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to develop a roadmap to creating a more sustainable supply chain and conserve endangered forests. Brought together under the banner of environmental nonprofit Canopy’s ‘Fashion Loved by Forest’ initiative, the Fashion and Textile Leaders for Forest Conservation working group — featuring brands including Stella McCartney, H&M, EILEEN FISHER, Patagonia and Inditex — will set about beginning to implement the brands’ endangered forest policy commitments. The kick-off meeting is the first of a series of sessions that will identify information gaps and improve traceability by tracking fiber flow from the forest floor to the dissolving pulp mills and through to the viscose manufacturing facilities. “With demand for viscose slated to aggressively increase over the next decade, we have a unique window to curb its harmful impacts on the world’s endangered forests and species,” said Canopy’s executive director, Nicole Rycroft. “We’re excited that this collective effort will maximize brands’ purchasing influence to help protect forests and engage viscose suppliers with a clear set of requirements.” (Sustainable Brands)
Campaigners call for stronger trade unions in the wake of Rana Plaza
In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza factory complex collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh last year, international trade unions Uni Global and IndustriALL worked with unions such as the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) to develop the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, with multinational corporations such as Inditex as signatories. Yet even with the implementation of the Accord, there is a long way to go before Bangladesh’s garment industry becomes consistent with international standards and workers are fully protected. While a new report from the International Labor Office shows rising numbers of unions in the sector, campaigners argue that too many workers are still not members, leaving them vulnerable to workplace abuse and unsafe conditions. Amirul Haque Amin, president of the NGWF, says that “without unionisation there will not be change in the ready-made garment sector”. Christy Hoffman, deputy general secretary of UNI Global Union, agrees: “There is no such thing as a truly safe factory without informed and engaged workers on the factory floor.” (The Guardian)
Innovation
New adhesive system makes a circuit board that is 90% recyclable
Three British companies have developed a 90% recyclable and reusable circuit board, whose components can be easily separated by soaking in hot water. Funded by the UK government’s Technology Strategy Board with a view to help industry conform to European electronic waste regulation, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), In2Tec and Gwent Electronic Materials have devised an adhesive that helps manufacturers take apart electronic circuit boards and reuse their components to make new components. They call it ReUse – Reusable, Unzippable, Sustainable Electronics. “What happens to end of life electronics is one of the fastest growing waste streams,” said Chris Hunt, head of the Electronics Interconnection Team at NPL. In developing the new product, no restricted elements or compounds have been used and around 90% of what has been made can be reused. According to Hunt, “it’s very difficult to throw away much, and when you look at how they currently make things, that’s huge.” (The Guardian)
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