Sustainable business for a better future
The Swedish government's December 2015 letter, "Policy for Sustainable Entrepreneurship", sets out its vision for sustainable entrepreneurship in the future. It also sets out clear expectations for the sustainability work of companies and organisations, as well as recommendations on how the work should be carried out.
The letter deals, among other things, with the responsibility of companies and organisations for a sustainable environment and climate. At the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio in 2012, a 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production was adopted. Sustainable consumption and production is seen as a prerequisite for reducing climate and environmental change and moving towards a green and circular economy.
"The Government will strengthen the conditions for sustainable consumption and production and the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy, including by involving business organisations and companies"
Skr.2015/16:69
So how will businesses and organisations be affected by this going forward? What we know for sure is that everyone will be affected, regardless of where they are in the supply chain.
The most important stakeholder in recycling, the industry association Återvinningsindustrierna, believes that the development towards a circular economy is too slow and that a range of instruments are needed to accelerate the pace.
Sweden can be much better at using its resources. Too much valuable material is currently incinerated and landfilled. The government should therefore introduce sorting requirements and ensure that unsorted waste is not incinerated.
Read more about the Recycling Industries' view in the article "How Sweden will become the world's most circular economy":
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has been appointed as the national focal point in the above-mentioned framework work. As the demand for environmentally friendly technologies and solutions increases globally, efforts will be made to stimulate innovation and commercialisation of environmental and climate technologies.
"Efforts will cover the field of environmental technologies, cutting-edge technologies, advanced system solutions for sustainable cities and an increased focus on recycling and resource efficiency in the field of materials."
Skr.2015/16:69
Another important part of this is how companies/organisations will soon have increased legal requirements to report on their sustainability performance. Read more about this at biaro.se/sustainability law.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's assignment on communication on ecosystem services 2014-2017 includes improving environmental accounts. This is likely to result in companies needing to account for how they manage their waste in their operations in a clearer way than before.
There is no doubt that all companies and organisations will need to take better care of their waste in the future. At BIARO, we can help you with our stylish environmental stations, available in a range of designs.
Environmental Box Double and Environmental Box Tripple
We at BIARO are members of the Cradle Net network
Cradle Net is a cross-sectoral network of about 100 designers, producers, chemists, architects, eco-strategists and others who have worked to apply and disseminate information about the circular economy based on the concept, in Sweden and around the world. Similar constellations also exist in the Netherlands and Denmark. Individuals as well as companies and other organisations are welcome to become members of Cradle Net, which is run as a non-profit association.
Circular economy - what does it mean?
If you are interested in the circular economy, we recommend watching the video clip below for a quick introduction to the subject.
"Something I recommend to all large companies and organisations is to develop a waste management policy."
- Markus Håkansson, Head of Sustainability Grant Thornton*
- Read more at biaro.se/environmental-policy/publicity-law
- Read how Tyrén's head office in Stockholm "sorted with style"
