Company and Ecology

Consumers want to buy more products with less packaging, more responsibility and more ecology. This has become more than just a trend, it is the result of a real evolution in consumption patterns.

What is a better circular economy ?

There is increasing talk of the circular economy for businesses. Often associated with waste management, sustainability and the environment, the circular economy is not, however, only an ecological approach, or even an economy of waste and recycling.

The consumer sector is also undergoing an eco-responsible turn. The proof is in the form of the Climate Law in France, which has been passed. Here are the main changes:

• Shops of more than 400 m² will have to have 20% of their surface entirely dedicated to bulk,
• A reintroduction of glass deposits should be introduced,
• A framework for the distribution of samples, etc.              

Source: LSA (https://www.lsa-conso.fr/la-loi-climat-fait-debat-dans-le-secteur-de-la-consommation,376503)

The main advantage of the circular economy is to transform resource constraints into opportunities for renewing and consolidating a company's business model. The aim is to optimise the life span of consumer goods and ensure that nothing is lost.

From 1 January 2021, new measures have come into force as part of the anti-waste law for a circular economy:

• The implementation of bonus-malus during the design of products : This will make it possible to limit overproduction and over-packaging, which will force manufacturers to rethink their models. Manufacturers will be obliged to display the bonus-malus on their products by means of colours or pictograms,
• Product repairability indices : The objective here is to achieve a 60% repair rate for electrical and electronic products within the next 5 years. This concerns lawnmowers, washing machines, computers, etc. The reparability index (which identifies the most reparable appliances) will be in the form of numbers and colours,
• In-store recycling bins,
• More controlled leaflets : Since the law came into force, the fine for depositing leaflets in a letterbox bearing the "Stop pub" sticker has increased from 450 euros to 1,500 euros,
• A strengthening of the ban on single-use plastic bags : The law bans the import and manufacture of single-use plastic bags in France.

Source: LSA (https://www.lsa-conso.fr/loi-anti-gaspillage-tout-ce-qui-change-depuis-le-1er-janvier-2021,369448#xtor=EPR-55&email)

Packaging for a new way of consumption : bulk

In the ecological resolution, the bulk makes its entry. Zero waste now concerns everyone. The switch to bulk packaging allows significant savings on packaging but above all a reduction in food waste.

In a few figures (2020), the bulk sector represents :

• 1.3 billion euros in turnover,
• 560 the number of shops specialising in bulk products,
• 40% of French households buy bulk products,
• More than 70% of hypermarkets/supermarkets equipped with a bulk section.

Behind these figures, bulk represents various issues :

• Real commitments with evidence of the fight against waste/packaging,
• A progression of product marketing by creating an attachment without using packaging,
• A new economic model specific to this mode of consumption.

What about the returns ? Is it really eco-responsible ?

Yes, thanks to reverse logistics, which focuses all its efforts on the environment. Reverse logistics aims to reduce the amount of waste in the supply chain.

Such reductions can be achieved through initiatives such as reusing material as a raw material, improving design to reduce the use of packaging materials, introducing reusable containers at different stages of the process and repairing or remanufacturing products at the end of their life cycle.

In addition to this, reverse logistics improves customer satisfaction through the "return" option for products. Indeed, customers are becoming increasingly sensitive and demanding with regard to companies' environmental policies.

Therefore, reverse logistics offers many advantages to companies through the reuse of materials in the production process, which avoids the use of virgin raw materials and reduces energy consumption. The company reduces its environmental impact and improves its profitability. The company's image is improved as a result.

The major challenge for companies: social and environmental responsibility

Today, all companies can implement a CSR approach. More than a demonstration of their own virtue, companies consider CSR strategy as a joint construction with their stakeholders.

The principle of CSR represents the future of business. In the long term, if they do not take into account the environmental and societal impacts of their activities, their very survival is threatened.

A CSR approach has several impacts, for the planet and for the company's image:

• Better risk management,
• A respect for the environment,
• Prevention and control of risks,
• Loyalty,
• Innovation,
• Differentiating from the competition and winning new business, etc.