Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is considered an essential duty for all private businesses. Earning profits with an ethical approach can lead to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all stakeholders. Companies that make CSR a part of their core values tend to give back to the society in the best possible manner and this is exactly how capitalist economies can eventually contribute to the country’s growth.
Independence Day was an excellent opportunity for all brands to showcase their CSR initiatives. Here are some of our picks:
PAPER BAGS EMBEDDED WITH SEEDS:
With the most creative idea, clothing brand Sapphire embedded its paper bags with plant seeds. After using the bag, the customers can just tear it into pieces and plant them in the soil. With regular watering, these pieces of bag will grow into plants.
Sapphire should be embraced not only in trying to do away with the hazardous plastic bags but also for introducing an amazing alternate which is recyclable as well as eco-friendly.
DONATIONS:
One of Pakistan’s premier fashion brands Khaadi announced to donate its Independence Day proceeds for the betterment of the country. “As long as Khaadi exists, Independence Day sales will go back to Pakistan,” said Khaadi’s founder and CEO Shamoon Sultan.
Customers had the freedom to choose from 5 sectors crucial for national development, namely; water, health, education, sanitation, and the environment through a poll. Results revealed water to be the most popular sector.
Khaadi subsequently announced that it would give half the proceeds towards the building of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund and the remaining half will be kept in trust to be used for the betterment of Pakistan.
A number of other brands have also decided to donate their profits to the dams fund. Even if it seems highly unlikely that the country will collect all the necessary resources required to build the dams through donations, these activities have drawn attention towards the water scarcity and energy crisis.
PROMOTING DIVERSITY:
With the catchphrase “Many cultures, one nation,” McDonald’s gave the message of intercultural harmony and promotion of diversity with its limited edition packaging. The designs of different regions of the motherland were depicted on the packaging of food items. In ‘Azaadi in lieu’, the food chain decided themes for the packaging which are native to the four provinces.
However, in doing so, they landed themselves in trouble for allegedly using an artist’s work. “The whole packaging has been done using my digital art,” wrote Kumail Ali Shareef on Facebook, while attaching evidence. Although it was a good move, the case of copyright infringement spoiled their well-intended act.
TREE PLANTATION:
Popular designer Maria B and her team planted over 1,000 plants in Valencia Homes Park along with the company of Secretary Khawaja Asim, Finance Secretary Fakhar Butt and other members of the management committee. It should be kept in mind that the government and administration alone cannot fight the climate change and troubles that come with it.
Public-private partnerships at the higher level are necessary to promote good practices in the society. Like tree plantation, such partnerships in education and health reforms, and women empowerment have yielded good results so far. It shouldn’t really matter even if the companies are getting good PR. As long as they are doing something beneficial in return, it isn’t a problem.
Car-hailing service Careem also launched a similar tree plantation drive where it announced a promo code Happy71 to celebrate Pakistan’s 71st Independence Day. The company announced to plant one tree with every ride.
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES:
Careem’s competitor Uber, on the other hand, announced to “enable people to pitch the startup ideas and achieve dreams”. In a new scheme announced by the ride-hailing service called UberPITCH, people will be invited to pitch their ideas. They will be provided with a platform to pursue their dreams.