Healthy business strategies for transforming the toxic chemical economy

The report highlights six case studies which demonstrate how chemically intensive companies embrace the use of comprehensive, environmentally friendly strategies for eliminating toxic chemicals and materials in their products and building materials. The report provides detailed examples of how companies are now integrating safer chemicals use into their policies and the recommendations and lessons resulting from this. The companies under consideration are Avalon Natural Products, Dell Inc., H&M, Herman Miller, Interface and Kaiser Permanente.

Although the individual actions of the companies to address toxic chemicals vary, there are a number of general characteristics that can be drawn form their approaches. A comprehensive and progressive strategy should include the following:

• identify all chemicals in their products
• eliminate toxic chemicals
• strive to manufacture and use only healthy ingredients in products
• design new products
• innovate — design new products and develop novel partnerships
• work collaboratively with environmental advocates
• take responsibility for products from cradle-to-grave and require data from suppliers on chemicals and materials used in products.
• work with suppliers to create healthy ingredients
• design products to be reused, recycled or composted
• adopt internal chemical policies, adopting a precautionary principle
• support laws that promote green chemistry and eliminate toxic chemicals.

The report concludes that in all six cases, their work to reduce chemical hazards enhanced their brand reputation with investors, customers and environmental advocates. Some companies achieved considerable savings in the process. Others launched new product lines that differentiated them from their competitors. In several cases, their innovations led to the creation of new submarkets.