Keep it Sustainable in China
It has been found that of all countries, Chinese consumers are among the most concerned about the environment. According to the Greendex Survey sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Globescan Inc., 69% answered they will try to minimize their environment impact. In a separate study released by The Nielsen Company about the influences of corporates’ social responsible initiatives, 69% of Chinese consumers are willing to pay extra for products or services from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact and concluded that Chinese consumers are becoming more inclined in environmental-friendly practices and products.
With the new environmental protection law issued by the Chinese government and the increasing demands of green businesses from Chinese consumers, many enterprises that offer high-end services, including hotels, commercial properties and medical service providers have all switched to more sustainable operations. Besides providing services that exceed guests’ expectations, numerous international and local five-star hotels have started to practice green in various ways such as housekeeping which include replacing bedding linen and towel less often and encouraging guests to bring their own toiletries. Similar with commercial properties and medical service providers, corporates are all looking for ways to offer its consumer with not only the best, but also the most eco-friendly services possible. On top of that, having a green rating certification from an authoritative organization is also plus as it helps to demonstrate corporate’s commitment in environment sustainability. The two most recognized systems in China currently are the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and ESGB (Evaluation Standard for Green Building). Both the LEED and ESGB rate the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, home, and neighborhood based on a specific set of criteria. To participate, a building must comply with local environmental laws and regulations as well as additional sustainable requirements.
Today, as consumers began to value the social and environmental impacts of brands, offering sustainable products is only a small part of Rubbermaid Commercial Products® (RCP)’s sustainability commitment. RCP is conscious of its impact on the environment as a result of its manufacturing, distribution & transportation, sourcing, and office operations. Accordingly, RCP has taken great care to integrate environmentally responsible processes into its operations.
More durable, less landfill
Product lifespan is a key sustainability metric as longer lasting products mean less landfill waste. In 2012, it was estimated that 10 billion tons of solid waste was generated globally, among of which China generated 1.5 billion tons alone. Utilizing products with enhanced lifespan and end-of-life recyclability is one way to contribute to sustainability efforts.
RCP products are designed and tested to be of the highest quality and durability, which keeps them out of the landfills for a longer period. One example is the BRUTE® Waste and Recycling collection. As the most iconic product of RCP, BRUTE® was designed to withstand dragging over rough surfaces and harsh environments for extended life. It outlasts and outperforms all similar products on the market thanks to its proprietary design and high quality materials. Its integrated rib structure increases strength and resists crushing. With all the features BRUTE® offers, you will save time, money and resources by not having to replace damaged containers frequently. When BRUTE® comes to the end of its useful life, it is fully recyclable.
More cleaning power, less chemical and water
Water pollution has always been a critical issue for many countries including China. In China, roughly 30% of the industrial waste water and more than 90% of the commercial and household sewage is dumped into rivers and lakes without any treatment. In an effort to tackle such issue, starting from the beginning of this year the Chinese government has released a new amended environmental protection law with harsher penalties to individuals and businesses that dispose pollutants into rivers and lakes. Furthermore, enterprises have been acting to take the matter into their own hands by conserving water and using less harmful chemicals in operations.
Minimizing environmental impact is designed into RCP’s research and development of new products. A good example is the Rubbermaid Commercial HYGEN™ series. The HYGEN™ series products are all made of best-in-class HYGEN™ Microfiber to deliver the greatest cleaning performance, both wet and dry, the ability to remove 99.9% of all microbes. Additionally, all HYGEN™ products consist of RCP’s patterned scrubbing strips for easy debris removal, and high quality knitting for better water absorption. Utilizing the complete HYGEN™ Microfiber system reduces water usage during cleaning by up to 90% and chemicals by up to 95%.
“RCP is committed to continuing to learn and act as better stewards of the environment,” Says Mr. Kevin Lowe, VP and General Manager, Asia “We supply a total of 1,000 products that help property managers gain LEED certification. But that is not all. We are further investing in better processes and technology that have a lower environmental impact than that which was previously in place, and perhaps most importantly, our innovative products and solutions will assist our clients, distributors and end-users to further their sustainability initiatives. RCP will continue to develop products and solutions that will help people live and work in more sustainable ways.”
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food services, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport, away-from-home washroom and safety products. RCP, an ISO 9001:2000 manufacturer, is part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit http://www.rcpworksmarter.cn/
Contacts:
MSLGROUP China
Zoe Cai
zoe.cai@mslgroup.com
+86 21 5169 9311 x 6756