Veja’s 3 Core business values as taught in class were:
1. Using ecological inputs (Foresight) such as most of the product inputs used in making the shoes
were locally sourced, environment friendly materials. Both Kopp and Morilon discouraged using
big vessels for goods transport rather they used small boats, cotton used is organic, and rubber
used, is not processed in any industrial way, avoing any use of chemicals.
2. Using fair trade cotton & Latex: (Commitment) Paying what is fair and above the prevalent
market prices. Supporting local brazilian farmers and producres through their deserved
compensation and encouraging them to continue adhereing to Veja’s true business practices of
using all organic cotton.
3. Respecting workers’ dignity (Stewardship & Community) Respecting the workers, providing
them with higher than existing market’s wages and supporting them by provinding only limited
overtime, foreign vacations for all managerial level employees, and keeping close relationship
with the stakeholders create a sense of community and stewardship.
My business, based on Vega values is ZERO WASTE GROCERY STORE
Mission: To promote the use of eco friendly alternatives of plastic at grocery store, those that donot
severly damage the environment. Encouraging all the customers and stakeholders to prefer
environment friendly ways of grocery shopping.
About Zero Waste Grocery Store:
Zero waste grocery store is a place where groceries are sold assuming zero waste. That is all the
groceries in the store are stored in a big glass made containers. All the liqiuds such as cooking oil and
toileteries are stored in big steel containers. Vegetables are all fresh, organic and locally sourced. The
brushes, (such as used in toilet and for toothbrush) are made of wood to discourage plastic. Homemade
products are also used to promote affordability.
Suppliers, Customers and Business Practices:
We encourage our suppliers , to help promote ecologic alternatives by supplying the groceries in big,
double layered paper bags to encourage the idea of zero waste, because is recyclable and environment
friendly. All the groceries, vegetables, toileteries are sourced bearing this in the process, and that is why
we pay premium prices to our suppliers for this puropse. This also strengthens stakeholders relationship
and promotes our values.
Zero waste grocery store believes in customers, buying only what is needed. The reason behind putting
everything in containers other than plastic is that people come and buy what they need. Packaged
product in pre-scled/weighted, here we encourage customer to buy only what they need and not more.
This helps us promote zero waste. Customers are also required to bring their own cloth bags or
containers. Here customers walk in with their containers, they fill up what they need, and they buy only
what they need. Glass bottles and containers are available for a small security deposit, customers can
use these and are encouraged to bring these back, also recylced double layed paper bags are availabe
for a fee. It also ensures re use. Carrying bags or boxes brought by customer are weighed at a
computerized scale, that weight feeds directly into the Shop counter computer, and that weight is
automatically deducted from gross weight, and customers pay for what they need only.
Also, at the end of shopping reciept, customer also can look at the number of plastic bags they have
saved through their transaction. This ensures our values of Zero waste.
Employees:
We also encourage our store manager and workers to promote zero waste concept among customer,
since they are the primary person who come in contact with customers. We discourage the employee
exploitation, every employee is awarded sick and paid causal leave, along with better than market pay.
We encourage part time work at Zero waste for students, to promote education.
ZERO WASTE’S VALUES:
FORESIGHT: Plastic waste is major contiributor to world pollution. This is also alarming because plastic is
not decomposed for a several hundred years. We promotes eco friendly alternatives to the plastic, for
the well being of our planet, for our own wellbeing and all of this out of fear of polluting our natural
habitat. Using what is only needed only promotes equity. This value of Zero waste plays its role for the
greater good of society.
COMMITMENT: We promise to never compromise on our business value. We want zero waste concept
to garner wider acceptiblity, that is why we exercise it. We encourage our suppliers to adhere to our
practice of zero waste. To provide the goods and material is large paper bags or reusable
containers,rather than polythene bags. This is why we pay premium to our suppliers. We also encourage
home used products, that is why we have a wide array of home made products to promote business
sense and marketability among our local small scale suppliers.
STEWARDSHIP & COMMUNITY: Leading by example, we believe is proving more than basic rights to our
employees. We aim to never exploit our workers. Fair pay, paid sick and casual leaves, proper store
timing, and promoting part time work for students is how we strive to give back to our society and be an
example of an ideal employer. This work also educates and provides awareness to all our stakeholders
about the proper and effeciant use of our resources, value of money, and value of our planet and future.