As 2022 comes to a close, I’ve taken time to reflect on the 200+ content pieces that our industry experts here at Clarkston have generated over the past year. Below, I’ve highlighted just a few of our top insights for sustainability in 2022. For all of our 2022 sustainability insights, you can read more here. 

Top 6: 2022 Sustainability Insights

1. How to Avoid Greenwashing: Making and Marketing a Better Impact   

Companies will often market their commitment to sustainability, vowing to be environmentally conscious and setting goals for net-zero initiatives. However, they don’t always carry out sustainable practices and might fall short of ambiguous goals despite their intentions – a phenomenon known as greenwashing. In this piece, Drake Jaglowski, senior consultant, discusses how companies can be mindful to avoid greenwashing and make (and market) a better environmental impact. 

Read About Greenwashing

2. Making the Transition to a More Sustainable Beauty Industry 

When it comes to sustainability, the beauty industry has never quite been at the top of the list. From manufacturing to production to packaging, many see their processes and practices as wasteful and unethical. However, an increased consumer demand for sustainability, coupled with rising interest from ESG investors, has begun to encourage beauty brands to pursue more sustainable and ethical practices, In this piece, Sarah Broyd, partner, discusses the economic and social opportunities for beauty brands prioritizing sustainability and implications for the industry moving forward. 

Read About Sustainability in the Beauty Industry

3. Enabling Safety and Sustainability with Drug Take Back Programs   

There are a number of safety and environmental hazards associated with incorrectly disposing of old medication. While Drug Take Back Programs and evolving regulations are working to change this, there’s more that can be done to establish a safer and more sustainable industry. In this piece, Sebastian Valencia, partner, explores challenges associated with the disposal of leftover medicine, the power of Drug Take Back programs, and the role that the pharmaceutical industry can play in encouraging and promoting better safety and sustainability. 

Explore the Benefits of Drug Take Back Programs

4. Sustainability Checklist for Businesses Getting Started with ESG   

Consumers are increasingly aware of the values and ethics of the brands from whom they purchase products or services. As such, companies who aren’t already working toward Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals should be putting plans in place to do so now. However, jumping right in without a plan or shared vision can be detrimental to the success of any ESG goals your company sets – instead, it’s important to be intentional and realistic. In this piece, Drake Jaglowski, senior consultant, discusses the key steps for companies looking to set and achieve sustainability goals. 

View the Sustainability Checklist

5. Five ESG Trends for Retailers  

There are financial and social advantages that come into play for retailers that incorporate ESG into their strategy and operations. However, as retailers create their ESG agendas, there are a few nuances at play that must be considered both now and in the coming years. In this piece, Sean Burke, partner, identifies five key ESG trends in the retail sector: circular economy, employee well-being and diversity and representation, ethical sourcing, and transparency and disclosure.  

Read the Five ESG Trends for Retailers

6. Biotech Beauty: The Intersection of Innovation and Sustainability 

What happens when you combine innovative technology with historically wasteful beauty production processes? Answer: biotech beauty, a potential solution for a more sustainable, beauty industry. While biotech beauty may appear as a fad, it has the potential to change the future of the beauty industry. In this piece, Sarah Broyd, partner, explores biotech beauty, its challenges and barriers, and the economic and environmental implications for the industry moving forward. 

Explore Biotech in the Beauty Industry