HEAL THE WORLD
“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
I came across this post recently and promptly shared it for its message of responsibility in consumption. In retrospect, I had been presumptuous, fi rst by assuming that readers would be as concerned about social- environmental issues as I was and, second, that they have the spending power to make a difference. Being able to afford organic, fair-wage, well- crafted, long-lasting items is a privilege. And as Aloysius Sng, who founded Refash to extend the life cycle of fast fashion, can tell you, even among supposedly environmentally aware millennials, buying decisions are based on price rather than any lofty aim to extend the life of a piece of clothing.
Poyan Rajamand understands more than most that sustainable solutions must also be economically viable. His company, Barghest Building Performance ( BBP), is paid a percentage of the money that his client saves by installing BBP’s energy-saving technology. Packaging company Greenpac, too, has found success in helping customers improve their bottom line, by reducing the cost of product packaging. Its founder, Susan Chong, along with Sng and Rajamand, are three of the 10 visionaries in this year’s Power List of Green Entrepreneurs and Champions.
Successful businesses often stem from offering viable solutions to existing problems. From the headlines, the environmental issues are colossal – oceans being choked by plastic, freak weather arising from climate change, industrial pollution. In this issue, The Peak salutes the individuals who have made good in their green businesses, or who drive the green agenda within their fi rms, because in their success, the planet is a little less stressed. The world needs more of such solutions.