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GreenBiz 350 Podcast

Episode 156: To B or not to B? A bold experiment in reusable consumer packaging

This week, words of wisdom from Danone's chief sustainability officer, TerraCycle founder Tom Szaky, Marsh & McLennan risk specialist Richard Smith-Bingham and Unilever R&D chief David Blanchard.

Week in Review

Tune in around 6:31 for a roundup of news.

  1. 5 reasons to be optimistic about reducing, and reversing, deforestation
  2. New research finds that ESG screening boost stock market performance
  3. 6 insights for NGOs to transform corporate sustainability

Featured Stories

How to be a B Corp (19:31)

It's been 10 months since Danone North America, a roughly $5.6 billion organization, became the world's largest B Corporation — a feat it managed in just one year. Deanna Bratter, the company's senior director of public benefit and sustainable development, spoke with GreenBiz about how the certification has benefited the company and altered the way it conducts business.  

Environmental issues, biodiversity concerns top global risk list (28:50)

The latest report on global risks to business and society is out. Extreme weather events and other fallout from climate change ranked highest both in terms of likelihood and potential economic and human impact. That's a trend that began to emerge three years ago, notes Richard Smith-Bingham, director of Marsh & McLennan Insights, one of the co-authors. Plus, why business leaders should think far more about biodiversity.

Creating an infinite loop for product consumption (37:35)

A new initiative by upcycling specialist TerraCycle has compelled more than two dozen of the world’s biggest brands — from Haagen-Dazs and Hellmann's to Nivea and Clorox — to begin testing reusable packaging. Two executives behind the new effort, TerraCycle founder and CEO Tom Szaky and Unilever R&D chief David Blanchard, explain the ambition and the motivation.

*All music in this episode by Lee Rosevere ("Here's the Thing," "I'm Going for a Coffee" and "Arcade Montage")

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