MoreThanWaste.com - Waste Reduction is Top Environmental Concern Globally (02/10/2007)

MIDLAND, Mich., Waste reduction is the most important environmental issue facing manufacturing businesses today, according to an international study on sustainability and environmental trends conducted by Harris Interactive for Dow Corning Corporation.

Eighty percent of managers and professionals in the USA; Brazil; Italy & Germany rank it as a higher priority than other environmental factors: such as energy efficiency or; developing environmentally friendly products.

The study of more than 1,000 people, undertaken in September, reveals how attitudes about sustainability vary across the world with managers in China, Korea and India for example, considering the development of environmentally friendly products as a more important driver than CO2 emissions, use of clean/renewable energy sources or waste reduction.

"What's clear from these results is that while there are differences in emphasis around the world, the priority for companies both big and small, is to reduce their own environmental footprint through reducing waste"

Peter Cartwright, Dow Corning executive director for environment, health and safety

Other key findings

Other key findings of the research indicate:

Globally, customers are seen as the most important and the media as the least important influences on sustainability and environmental decisions. However there are marked differences between countries. As an example, in Korea, 40% of managers rank the government as the number one influence compared to 12% in Germany and 14% in USA.
Environmental & Sustainability programs have a strong influence on whether a company will be considered as a potential supplier. On average, 80% of companies globally say that environmental and sustainability factors are taken into account when they select suppliers.
In India, one in two managers consider environment/sustainability factors of critical importance – a significantly higher level than their counterparts in China (26%).
Company reputation is not seen as the main factor driving a company's decision making around environmental activities. In all countries surveyed (except Korea), the health and safety of employees, customers and suppliers was rated as the most important influence. Managers in Korea, viewed the long term sustainability of their business as the most important factor.
Companies in the Americas are more likely to have a dedicated team responsible for sustainability decision-making than companies in Asia or Europe.

More than 1000 respondents from a wide range of manufacturing companies were interviewed for the research survey across seven countries - USA, Brazil, Italy, Germany, China, Korea and India. The survey was conducted on behalf of Dow Corning by the independent market research company, Harris Interactive. The telephone survey took place between November 2006 and January 2007.

He added: "While the focus today may be on dealing with waste, in the future I anticipate we'll see more emphasis on areas such as CO2 emissions and use of renewable energy sources as the whole issue of climate change gets more attention."

Further information

Further information on this survey can be found at www.dowcorning.com .

Dow Corning

Dow Corning provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) . More than half of Dow Corning's sales are outside the United States.

Harris Interactive(R)

Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based in Rochester, New York, and London is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.

CONTACT: Jarrod Erpelding, +1-989-496-1582,
Jarrod.Erpelding@dowcorning.com

Web site: http://www.dowcorning.com/

Acknowledgements: This article is an adaptation of a news release from /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Source: Dow Corning.


	Waste Reduction is Top Environmental Concern Globally (02/10/2007) MIDLAND, Mich., Waste reduction is the most important environmental issue facing manufacturing businesses today, according to an international study on sustainability and environmental trends conducted by Harris Interactive for Dow Corning Corporation. Eighty percent of managers and professionals in the USA; Brazil; Italy & Germany rank it as a higher priority than other environmental factors: such as energy efficiency or; developing environmentally friendly products. The study of more than 1,000 people, undertaken in September, reveals how attitudes about sustainability vary across the world with managers in China, Korea and India for example, considering the development of environmentally friendly products as a more important driver than CO2 emissions, use of clean/renewable energy sources or waste reduction. "What's clear from these results is that while there are differences in emphasis around the world, the priority for companies both big and small, is to reduce their own environmental footprint through reducing waste" Peter Cartwright, Dow Corning executive director for environment, health and safety Other key findings Other key findings of the research indicate: Globally, customers are seen as the most important and the media as the least important influences on sustainability and environmental decisions. However there are marked differences between countries. As an example, in Korea, 40% of managers rank the government as the number one influence compared to 12% in Germany and 14% in USA. Environmental & Sustainability programs have a strong influence on whether a company will be considered as a potential supplier. On average, 80% of companies globally say that environmental and sustainability factors are taken into account when they select suppliers. In India, one in two managers consider environment/sustainability factors of critical importance – a significantly higher level than their counterparts in China (26%). Company reputation is not seen as the main factor driving a company's decision making around environmental activities. In all countries surveyed (except Korea), the health and safety of employees, customers and suppliers was rated as the most important influence. Managers in Korea, viewed the long term sustainability of their business as the most important factor. Companies in the Americas are more likely to have a dedicated team responsible for sustainability decision-making than companies in Asia or Europe. More than 1000 respondents from a wide range of manufacturing companies were interviewed for the research survey across seven countries - USA, Brazil, Italy, Germany, China, Korea and India. The survey was conducted on behalf of Dow Corning by the independent market research company, Harris Interactive. The telephone survey took place between November 2006 and January 2007. "What's clear from these results is that while there are differences in emphasis around the world, the priority for companies both big and small, is to reduce their own environmental footprint through reducing waste," said Peter Cartwright, Dow Corning executive director for environment, health and safety. He added: "While the focus today may be on dealing with waste, in the future I anticipate we'll see more emphasis on areas such as CO2 emissions and use of renewable energy sources as the whole issue of climate change gets more attention." Further information Further information on this survey can be found at www.dowcorning.com . Dow Corning Dow Corning provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) . More than half of Dow Corning's sales are outside the United States. Harris Interactive(R) Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based in Rochester, New York, and London is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value. CONTACT: Jarrod Erpelding, +1-989-496-1582, Jarrod.Erpelding@dowcorning.com Web site: http://www.dowcorning.com/ Acknowledgements: This article is an adaptation of a news release from /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Source: Dow Corning.