Eco Kids Summer Camp 2019 Day 6: Solid Waste Management & Sustainability

Flowserve is committed to our purpose of making the world better, together. We will continue to adapt, innovate and deliver for current and future generations by addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas through our sustainability program.  Our sustainability program has three key objectives – valuing our people, protecting the planet and promoting operational excellence. These three objectives serve as our guide as we reduce our environmental footprint and advance technologies that support energy transition, build a safe and inclusive culture for our associates, contribute to our communities, and maintain strong governance practices and drive efficient business processes.

The fashion industry is the world’s second largest polluter behind big oil, and is responsible for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. There are a number of contributing factors to this problem, ranging from “fast fashion”—a model based on producing low-cost garments intended to be worn only a handful of times—to disposal of luxury overstock merchandise.  Consumers today are increasingly conscious of environmental issues. Younger generations in particular have a clear preference for environmentally friendly products—74% of millennials and 62% of Generation Z are willing to pay more for sustainable goods. Thankfully, consumer demand has caused a discernable and welcome shift towards sustainability in the fashion and apparel industry.

A new study of 2,040 Australians, titled Who Do You Believe?, has found there’s a big opportunity for brands to become leaders in the sustainability space by taking greater tangible action on social and environmental issues.  Almost three out of four Australians could not name a single brand or business they believe is helping improve social or environmental issues.  In March, Mumbrella uncovered Australia’s top ten most prolific businesses on sustainability.  The data showed actions from brands and businesses are failing to ladder up to expectations and even when they do act, 86% of Australians are sceptical about the social or environmental claims they make.  But according to Australians, some brands are leading the charge. Of the one in four who could name a brand; one in five named Woolworths, one in ten named Coles and one in 20 named Cotton On.