Proctor & Gamble
Proctor & Gamble (P&G) has been working hard to develop and embed sustainability principles across its operations.
The company’s Principles, Values and Policies (PVPs) form the basis for their sustainability programmes. Although formally written down only recently, the PVPs have roots back throughout the history of P&G and so form a solid foundation for the company’s focus in this area, supported by the company’s Worldwide Business Conduct Manual.
With a forward from the Chief Executive, the PVP guide shows P&G to be committed to the cause of Good Business and how it will strengthen the business going forward: “we believe that doing what is right for the business with integrity will lead to mutual success for both the company and the individual".
P&G’s sustainability activities are driven by a central Global Sustainability Department, through which its 50 or so members develop programmes within their own business units, threading the department’s activities throughout the company. Activities are broad, with pockets of strong progress, focusing on the two areas, Water and Health & Hygiene, where the company has identified potential to make a positive difference through innovative products and services.
The company has committed to generating at least $20 billion in sales of ‘Sustainable Innovation Products’ with reduced environmental impact by 2012, in addition to reducing the environmental impact of its overall operations.
‘Good’ products and campaigns include a water purification product run as a non-commercial CSR programme and sold at cost to non-profit organisations (after its failure as a profit-making line), laundry products which wash at lower temperatures to reduce energy consumption, and soap and handwashing programmes to promote hygiene in developing countries. In December 2008 the US Environmental Protection Agency awarded P&G ‘Champion’ status under the Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative.
However, these lauded activities sit alongside products which continue to be criticised for unnecessarily using non-recycled materials, chemicals and creating damaging waste.
