{"id":13504,"date":"2022-09-21T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smeclimatehub.org\/?p=13504"},"modified":"2024-02-02T18:08:29","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T17:08:29","slug":"responsible-sustainable-drinkware-company-miir-proves-small-climate-action-steps-yield-big-rewards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smeclimatehub.org\/fi\/responsible-sustainable-drinkware-company-miir-proves-small-climate-action-steps-yield-big-rewards\/","title":{"rendered":"Responsible Sustainable Drinkware Company MiiR Proves Small Climate-Action Steps Yield Big Rewards\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For companies on the fence about climate-action initiatives, responsible steel drinkware brand MiiR offers their own hard-earned wisdom: \u201cClimate-change mitigation is a sound financial decision,\u201d says Devon Richardson, the company\u2019s Giving & Sustainability Manager. \u201cThere\u2019s more often than not an ROI, and a huge potential to tap into new markets and build customer loyalty that will outlast economic downturns and increased competition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data shows that energy-efficiency changes can help businesses reduce overall emissions and operating costs. Pair that with the financial threats of climate change\u2014from unprecedented heat waves stressing supply chains to new weather patterns changing customers\u2019 lifestyles\u2014and it\u2019s easy to see why SME Climate Hub member MiiR views climate action as a win-win business strategy. \u201cCosts of everything are rising as a result of the physical effects of climate change, and they threaten to impact the entire economy,\u201d says Richardson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since launching in 2010 in the Pacific Northwest, MiiR has become a certified B Corp member, joined 1% for the Planet, through which the company donates at least 1% of all profit to environmental causes, and became carbon neutral certified in 2019.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MiiR\u2019s sustainability journey proves climate action pays off, whether it\u2019s cultivating a new customer base or uncovering game-changing product innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Collaboration creates change<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Businesses can make significant sustainability strides on their own, but in Richardson\u2019s eyes, we\u2019re in this together; a collective effort leads to large-scale change. \u201cThe more small and medium-sized businesses engage in climate action and emissions reduction, the more groundswell we can generate, the more policy we can influence, and the more demand we can create for positive climate action,\u201d Richardson says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea of collaboration goes deeper than working in tandem with business peers. According to Richardson, a key to climate-action success stems from who you choose to do business with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince MiiR\u2019s inception, we have been steadily moving a majority of our businesses over to suppliers with the strongest environmental goals and performance,\u201d Richardson says. \u201cWe choose suppliers that are able to provide us with innovative solutions to material problems, and as we look towards lower-impact materials, suppliers that are able to work with and certify recycled content.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richardson notes they hold this standard for partners around the world. \u201cOur suppliers in China are all adding solar installments and focusing on energy efficiency, as the grid in China has been unpredictable. Making these investments has saved them time and money, and will soon be paid off.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Climate action: a sound business strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change may bring business risks, but with that, comes opportunity\u2014something many SME Climate Hub members have learned firsthand. For MiiR, climate action led to important product innovations and exposure to a new customer base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough the process of measuring, goal setting, and reporting, we have become much more data savvy,\u201d says Richardson. \u201cIt has afforded us the opportunity to uncover so much useful information that we\u2019ve applied to our design and innovation, business operations, and even key messaging.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One key area of innovation: selecting materials. \u201cWe\u2019re making decisions around materials, components, shapes, and the design of products in order to make them as durable and uncomplicated as possible, to ensure straightforward recycling at the end of each product\u2019s life,\u201d says Richardson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During MiiR\u2019s climate-action journey, the brand has also cultivated a loyal fanbase of both existing and new customers. \u201cWe\u2019ve built more trust with our existing consumers, and we\u2019ve drawn in a new audience of conscious consumers as well as mission-aligned brand partners,\u201d says Richardson. \u201cTaking concrete action to drive down our emissions, and being able to authentically articulate our climate goals (and progress against them) has led to great business outcomes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Setting and sticking to emission-reduction goals<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, MiiR became Climate Neutral certified; this certification means MiiR commits to measure and offset its carbon footprint. The company is working toward becoming net zero in 2030. Emission-reduction goals to achieve this include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n