ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
PRACTICES
ASSIGNMENT II

Identification of existing or new business where in the

application of sustainable business practices are followed
or can be practiced.

By: RAELL BOSE

MFM- semester 1
 We are on the brink of a global threat, eminent. The exploitation of natural resources,
extensive and irreversible pollution of water, land and air is stressing the capacity of the earth to
retain human life. “A process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of
investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in
harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations”-
the world commission on environment and development. “Development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”-
Bruntland report for the world commission on environment and development (1992). This age
old definition that our science books taught us can no longer just be held on our examination
papers.

Now, more than ever is the time and chance to amend the way we operate. Receiving
flak, growing concerns of the environment and the ethical issue related to human rights in the
fashion industry, has finally opened the eyes of many fashion designers and brands. The
industry’s scenes is polarized, where some brands are mending their ways and are using more
sustainable, eco- friendly ways of production, the other side of has brands encouraging fast
fashion. The pattern of consumption of fast fashion users has adverse effects on the environment.
The addiction to fast fashion has brought with it the idea that clothes are disposable products that
need to be disposed as soon as they go out of trend. We already know the short lifespan of a
trend, to imagine thousands of clothing and accessory articles being disposed or going obsolete is
lunacy.

Sustainable fashion is growing movement with the goal to create a system that can be
control the human impact on the environment and social responsibility.
 FOSSIL AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY
“Greater together.

It’s a testament to how much better we are

when we work together.
Together, we make great things happen. We use design and innovation to create distinctive
watches, wearables and accessories like no one else.

We develop experiences that make people feel something. A little happier. A little more
connected.

We care about the things that matter: our people, our customers, our communities and our
planet.

And in everything we do, we’re out to make the biggest impact we can, in the way only we can.”

- Fossil Group

The sustainability efforts of Fossil are three fold, or as they put it; three folds of “Make Time For
Good”. Under this they are also supportive of the U.N. Sustainable development goals number 6
“clean water and sanitation”, and number 12 “responsible consumption and production”.

1. GOOD FOR THE PLANET

a. Design for the future

Fossil is aspiring to bring sustainable design elements to over half of their global product
assortment by 2025. They are continually looking for ways to repurpose, recycle, and identify
new sustainable materials and re-think their manufacturing processes. It also includes managing
their product lifecycles and giving their products a second purpose where it makes the most
impact. They also claim to commit to challenging the norms of the watch and accessory industry
as we develop a more sustainable product design process. Fossil has started taking steps towards
their commitment of sustainable design with a material that is found in many of their products:
leather. To them, the traceability and manufacturing process of leather matters. As an effort to
source leathers from environmentally preferred suppliers, under their Sustainable Leather
Sourcing Project, they have partnered with tanneries who work with The Leather Working
Group, a global organization that assess environmental compliance and promotes sustainable
practices in the leather industry. LWG- rated tanneries undergo a bi- annual audit of their
facilities to ensure they meet the group’s environmental requirements. Currently, Fossil is at
80%.

Today, several of their products are crafted from environmentally preferred leather, including
bags such as the Fiona crossbody and Estate backpack, Jerome bifolds, etc. Kristy Sam, director
of material development, says that although it was a challenge to encourage tanneries to spend
the money for developing environmentally preferred leather, Fossil is confident and will
continue to only partner with LWG certified tanneries.

b. Reduce waste

This second commitment is all about streamlining their packaging, retail displays, and
eliminating surplus during production

they have been working on a new idea to improve how they package their fixtures. They are
exploring eco- friendly ways to do so, few of which are; eliminating additional stuffing and
materials like Styrofoam and sponge, unnecessary sealing tape and polybags and making the
packaging less bulky to reduce carton sizes and save money. The impact of this has been that by
reducing and redesigning their packaging there have been substantial savings in both freight size,
shipping and operational costs. This is encouraging suppliers in China to look through a
sustainable viewpoint.

One big pick- me- up: an entire region recycles together- Earlier this year, teams set out from
Fossil and Watch Station outlet stores throughtout the central region of United States to make an
effort to reduce the earth’s carbon footprint and repurpose as many plastic water bottles as they
could. Stores put up posters, sent mails, involved schools and other organizations in the
community. They partnered with a special organization called Reprever who recycled plastic
bottles into durable fiber. During the partnership, they created an eco- friendly tote in their
favourite seasonal prints- offering customers a product they can be proud for even more than its
great design. Having that product as motivation, the stores felt the impact of every bottle. From
Chicago through Texas and Florida, around 80,000 bottles were collected and 9,000 Repreve
bags were created.
2. GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITIES

Fossil Group is a supporter of U.N. Sustainable development goals number 5 “Gender Equality”
and number 10 “Reduced Inequalities”.

a. Opportunity for her

Fossil aspires to become a leader in women’s empowerment by 2020. They create employee
development programs to empower women. These programs lend mentorship opportunities,
leadership experiences, skills training, education, as well as supporting female artisans and
entrepreneurs as they build their livelihoods.

Fossil X BSR her+project- Fossil partnered with BSR HERproject in 2014. The result: lower
turnover, better nutrition and more health awareness. BSR is a global nonprofit business network
and consultancy dedicated to sustainability. Through workplace based programs, this
collaborative effort helps low- income women in global supply chains live healthier and reach
their full potential. So far, more than 250,000 women in more than 420 factories and farms know
more about topics like women’s health, nutrition and family planning. And at least 80% of these
women are passing on what they learn to their families and friends.

Fossil X ME to WE- This is an exclusive accessories collection celebrating that craftsmanship

of female artisans in Africa. The collections consists of colourful beadwork sold at Fossil stores
and online- with profits reinvested in creating sustainable impacts in developing communities
through ME to WE.

b. Community impact

Fossil believes in doing good in their communities is all about supporting their employees in the
causes they care about- whether it’s through donations, volunteerism or leasing passion projects.
#MakeTimeForGood is there flagship movement through which they get involved in the society.
Under this movement they have; Fossil Volunteer Time off program, Pro Bono Skill Sharing,
Employee Matching Program, Greater Together Tour, Kiva and Disaster Relief.
Get growing- Two fossil designers pitch the idea of an on- site community garden. Fossil
Group’s employee led on –site Community Garden grows food and donates it to local
community partners.

Repurposing with a purpose: Encouraging active lifestyles, one donation at a time- Fossil
partnered with RecycleHealth, a nonprofit organization that collects wearable devices and
donates them to understand populations to encourage healthy. This allowed Fossil to use their
first – generation Fossil activity trackers. They donated 550 first generation Fossil Q activity
trackers.

c. Fossil foundation

“We unleash the power of underserved youth around the world.”.

“Empowerment starts within; helping young people see their own potential and step up- giving
them the skills to become active participants in control of their own destiny. We know all young
people are capable of greatness.”- Janiece Evans- Page, Global head of Fossil Foundation.

The global opportunity gap is preventing over a third of the world’s young people from reaching
their potential. These underserved youth often don’t have access to resources and opportunites
that are crucial to their success. Fossil foundation has partnered with innovative changemakers
develop programs that put young people in charge if their own future. These programs build
powerful life skills like confidence, grit, curiosity and leadership.

This effort is invested in the youth ages 12-24 often excluded from rights and services (eg. Low-
income, underrepresented minorities, youth with disabilities and/or otherwise disadvantaged
youth.).

3. GOOD FOR THEIR PEOPLE

Fossil Group supports U.N. Sustainable development goals number 8 “ decent work and
economic growth”. “ Our people speak up stand up and show up for the things they care about.
They are committed to making an impact- and this is only the beginning.”- Janiece Page.
a. Development

Fossil is committed to providing development opportunities to their global workforce. They are
invested in providing robust programs and experiences to their future leaders.

Fossil is a model company when it comes to involvement in sustainable practices and giving
back to the society.

One value that can be noticed in the organization of the brand is the feeling of community. Fossil
group supports their employees taking actions in their own communities to make the world a
better place. This shows that they when they are making time for good, every idea is heard and
worked on. For them there is no idea that is too small or an idea too big so long as it is making
them and the planet better.

SUGGESTIONS

The material development team should try and look for alternative to leather.

Fossil Group should be more transparent in terms of suppliers, manufacturers, regulations, etc.

REFERENCE

http://www.thecolgatemaroonnews.com/af/article_54d66668-43ec-11e8-a72c-
c3d29add469b.html