Step 3: Reporting Recommendations – How to get recognized for your improvements

Being able to demonstrate in a clear way to brands that you are a responsible manufacturer will aid you in attracting brands as customers. Although reporting is not a requirement, by choosing to report the results of your efforts in following the MaGiC Principles, you concretely show that your efforts are effective. Although it may seem that reporting your environmental impacts may expose the least favorable aspects of your company, by demonstrating transparency, you show that you are managing these aspects and have a culture of continuous improvement.

Each principle has one reporting recommendation to go with it. These are included briefly below and then described in detail in the Waste, Energy, Water, Materials and Labor Sections.

Waste

Principle 1: Monitor all sources of waste

Reporting Recommendation 1: Report amounts of waste

Principle 2: Establish and implement waste reduction targets

Reporting Recommendation 2: Report waste reduction targets, steps implemented and results achieved

Principle 3: Separate recyclable wastes and responsibly dispose of remainder

Reporting Recommendation 3: Report recycled and disposed amounts and methods

Energy

Principle 4: Monitor energy consumption

Reporting Recommendation 4: Report energy consumption (and calculate and report greenhouse gas emissions)

Principle 5: Establish and implement energy efficiency targets

Reporting Recommendation 5: Report energy efficiency targets, steps implemented and results achieved

Water

Principle 6: Monitor water consumption and water quality

Reporting Recommendation 6: Report water consumption and wastewater discharge

Principle 7: Establish and implement water efficiency targets

Reporting Recommendation 7: Report water efficiency targets, steps implemented and results achieved

Principle 8: Maintain environmental permits and discharge wastewater according to requirements of local legislation

Reporting Recommendation 8: Report which environmental permits obtained and method of wastewater discharge

Materials

Principle 9: Make eco-friendly materials available to customers

Reporting Recommendation 9: List all available eco-friendly materials, including any certifications

Labor

Principle 10: Abide by the FLA Labor Code of Conduct

Reporting Recommendation 10: Report the results of third-party labor audits and your response

Most respected brands now prepare an annual ‘Sustainability Report’ which is available to the public and shares information on their environmental impact and social responsibility efforts. We recommend that companies interested in green manufacturing begin publishing sustainability reports of their own, and these guidelines define the key environmental and labor data to include in the report. Brands recognize that transparency is a sign of better environmental management, and this will identify your company as the type of supplier brands want to partner with. You will find detailed descriptions for each reporting recommendation in the Waste, Energy, Water, Materials and Labor sections. Read through these sections and continue your journey to being recognized as a green manufacturer.

References