Eco-labeling and ethics
Narkevitsj, Kristina (2017)
Narkevitsj, Kristina
Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017123122626
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017123122626
Tiivistelmä
This thesis is examining the role of eco-labels on the consumers and companies’ requirements to carry the eco-labels. Increasing concerns in sustainability helped change consumers’ buying preferences towards ecologically and ethically friendlier products. This change is apparent in demand for certified products and consequently the rise of number of eco-labels and relating certifying bodies. The research shows companies are using eco certifications for marketing and sale benefits, but do not always meet label criteria. As the eco-labels have become more numerous but not more clearly, the consumers became more confused and were starting to lose their trust in labels. To explore the role of eco-labeling and their procedures, research was made using two case study companies, Matthew Algie and Nestlé Nespresso. Qualitative approach was used as the research methodology to assess the two coffee companies with the help of secondary data. The two coffee companies were obtaining their coffee from sustainable resources on a large scale of over 70 % of the their annual purchases. Nespresso was demonstrating its co-operation with Rainforest Alliance in order to provide sustainable high quality coffee, as well aluminum recycling program to reduce waste. It was not possible to establish all of certification requirements or if the companies’ were fully complying with them. The certification guidelines for eco-labeling were not always transparent or easily available, this was adding to the general confusion of eco-labels’ effectiveness.