3M believes that now more than ever, science is needed to create a positive future where everyone can thrive. 3M is striving to meet the growing expectations of its customers and employees by investing in climate solutions and growing sustainable communities. We teamed up with Emily Hiner, Senior Shopper Marketing Manager from 3M to get more insight on 3M’s sustainability message.
How is 3M approaching sustainability?
Answer: 3M is taking sustainability very seriously and we use 3 pillars to help guide us. First, circular economy, which ultimately means designing products with recyclability in mind and increasing the use of renewable materials and promoting waste reduction initiatives. The second is focusing on climate. 3M is dedicated to improving our environmental footprint and decreasing carbon in the industry. Finally, there is community. We want to be a leader and inspiration to others to take this sustainability journey with us.
What are 3M’s environmental commitments concerning sustainability?
Answer: 3M has many exciting commitments around sustainability. I won’t be able to list all of them here, but a few key pledges include reducing manufacturing waste by an additional 10%, achieving zero landfill status at more than 30% of manufacturing sites, reducing global water usage by 25%, reducing dependence on virgin, fossil-based plastic by 125 million pounds and driving supply chain sustainability all by 2025. Additionally, 3M has set ambitious sustainability goals such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This aligns with our commitment to creating positive social impacts.
What is 3M doing to promote sustainability in communities from a social perspective?
Answer: 3M is actively promoting sustainability through various initiatives, like focusing on advancing social equity, empowering communities, and fostering diversity and inclusion. A few efforts that come to mind include investing in STEM education programs, supporting community development projects, promoting diversity in the workforce and collaborating with local organizations to address social challenges.
Why is it important for customers to consider sustainability?
Answer: Simply because the consumer is asking for it! Over 40% of consumers say that buying office supplies from brands that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible is important or very important to them (Source: NPD Group). Most of these consumers are willing to spend more on sustainable products.
Which 3M initiative are you the most excited about?
Answer: 3M’s commitment to sustainability in innovation is very exciting to me. Our dedication to creating positive change through innovative solutions and social responsibility is something I’m proud to be a part of. But on a personal level, I think I get most excited about our investment into our younger generations. We provide educational initiatives and programs to help prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Education is key and I love how we are preparing the next generation of innovators.
3M believes that sustainability isn’t merely a goal but a responsibility owed to future generations. By consistently innovating and prioritizing environmentally friendly practices, 3M is dedicated to fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for all. The company is enthusiastic about sharing its vision with customers and hopes they also embrace the enthusiasm for a positive future.
