Original article translated from Bulgarian.
Looking back at the experience with green business, what efforts are worth it and which ones are just for show?
Meaningful efforts to green business are those that cover the three pillars of sustainable development – the human factor, the planet but also profits. Only the implementation of these three criteria can achieve sustainable business model.
However, some projects are subsidized largely by governments and prove expensive. Does that mean that they should be implemented? Whether green effect is sufficient sense to invest in some efforts to improve the environment?
If you expect that will happen imminent return and hire to subsidize these technologies to achieve income, then it makes sense to continue the project. If it turns out that the activity is a black hole for money and we do not see when it will achieve a return, subsidies must stop.
In Bulgaria the green initiatives of the business are relatively new. How karate institutions to listen to the message of the need for environmental efforts? How do you teach other businesses, even the law does not oblige them?
The public must be informed at every opportunity, we are green ambassadors and even preachers. Our audience are local or international politicians, the media, I take every opportunity for public expression on the issue.
On laws on green business I think we have achieved a critical point. Just as the law “Sarbanes-Oxley” bound by certain accounting practices, both in the US environmental behavior is becoming less option and more a legal obligation. Without these efforts, companies can not secure the future existence.
How do you see your company in 10 years?
Since waste from obsolete electronics are the fastest growing source of pollution in the world, we believe that ERI can become a corporation worth billions of dollars and to serve customers on all continents. We intend to continue to develop its brand, hiring the best and to strive for the best recycling services.
How track electronic waste?
In the ERI following electronic waste with a system of barcodes and know which old machine has come to us and came out in the form of useful raw materials.
Why export of electronic waste is considered a bad thing? To awhile namely recycling of this waste in third world thought of a solution.
The reasons are basically two – no total national exports to the US and there is no law to control electronic waste.
So casual wear is common, but the secret practice of recycling industry. Exports to countries other than this reduces opportunities for jobs in recycling in the country produced electronics. Moreover, in third world countries lacked the necessary equipment and procedure to happen better and safer recycling.
For example, to extract precious metals from electronics, burn the plastic parts. This recycling not least often and help children who grossly violates human rights. This kind of recycling can never be a good solution.
Green is good, but if the business does not have to compromise with the green initiatives because of the crisis? Is not that convenient argument for skeptics of global warming to emphasize again that there is no sense of expensive environmental initiatives?
The right environmental actions in each case will be good for the culture, and the final outcome of the company.
It can not reflect poorly saving energy, water and paper. Skeptics will never again believe in spite of the information. Now is the best time to act against global warming and the challenges of providing energy.
Your business is connected to the larger issues of ecology. Which is more important to build a green business global or local actions?
You need to think locally but act globally. Thomas Friedman (journalist, expert and advocate of globalization) is right that the world is no longer flat. Will those who find partners around the world in this new economy.
Do you have a favorite story about the success of green business?
Yes, Best Buy stores are some of the best solutions for recycling in the United States. They first began removing old appliances in stores and so allowed their customers to recycle. With this experience for Conservation of Nature create a new way of thinking about American consumers. Best Buy also add to the image of a superstar in American commerce.
How the Internet changed your business?
Allows us to educate the public and politicians for the crisis to electronic waste. We strive to three steps – training, motivation and eliminate the problem. We use corporate website electronicrecyclers.com, and besides, we reach a very wide audience with a database of recycling centers – 1800recycling.com.