Edelman: blogging and other opportunities in CSR communications

I've been doing some research on a rhyming pair of abbreviations - CSR and PR - and came across a number of interesting reports produced by Edelman, an international PR firm that is known for its excellence in promoting CSR and sustainability. A 2006 report talks about CSR in the blogosphere and contains some interesting facts, which the bloggers in this field are keenly aware about. For instance, that NGOs and companies have shown little interest in engaging bloggers on CSR issues. Or, that bloggers are commenting on CSR and sustainability issues and not reporting new information. That's probably why CSR blogging tends to be rather boring.

Another, more recent report, explores the issue of CSR communication and finds that employees and socially responsible investors have emerged as key CSR communications audiences. Also, transparency appears to be the key indicator of a socially responsible company. These findings bring a more informed perspective to the debate about the effectiveness of currently used CSR communication tools, such as reports, videos, blogs, CEO leadership and public engagement, etc. As this report shows, despite the technological advances in all types of communications, stakeholders still find it hard to communicate with companies.

These two reports hit right home. Personally, I'd like to see more companies engage more effectively with bloggers in communicating their CSR efforts. I'd prefer the CSR blogosphere be enlivened by stories on companies' journeys towards sustainability and social responsibility in different parts of the world. The slogal "Think globally, act locally and communicate widely" could be more effective in addressing the existing challenges of CSR communications.

Let's have fun with less trash!

As I was walking to the 54th Pier on the Hudson River for a Big Band Swing event, I had to stop myself from collecting lemonade plastic cups from the Target High Line Street Festival. After all, those corn-made compostable cups were the focus of my attention during three-hour volunteering with the CENYC Office of Recycling Outreach and Education (OROE) earlier that day.

The idea was to make this public event as trash-free as possible. The event producers, The Usual Suspects used biodesel generators to power the event. With OROE's assistance, they agreed with the vendors to offer/sell their goodies - including the delicious lemonade - in compostable plastic- or paperware. At the event, OROE encouraged people to dispose of it in specially designated bins, which were then taken to the composting sites by a private hauler, Action Carting. According to Rebekah Sale, OROE's Public & Special Events Recycling Coordinator,

The event was huge success from a waste management point of view. A few bags of trash and dozens of bags of recyclables and compostables were collected from all the recycling stations for the entire day. This was the first large scale low-waste street event in the City.

Overall, I was overwhelmed by the total amount of garbage created by a public event in New York. This particular one was much more environmentally-conscious due to the organizers' special efforts. I rarely see recycling bins at public events or street fairs, although the law requires it. In addition, people, including myself, are still pretty confused regarding recycleble garbage. To learn more on what is recycled in New York, check this site regularly.

Photocredit: laverrue@ CC