Making Sustainability Stick at DuPont: Commitment, Cash, and Collaboration

摘要

For two decades, DuPont has been aggressively trying to improve its environmental reputation. Founded in 1802 as a gunpowder manufacturer, DuPont in the 21st century is the manufacturer of an interesting chemical mix. Counted among the Wilmington, DE-based corporation's products are Benlate fungicide, cellophane, nylon, dyes, explosives, refrigerants, Lycra fiber, medical products, Mylar film, plastics, paints, photo supplies, rayon, and Teflon fluoropolymer resin. Although using the tagline "The miracles of science" today, 20 years ago, when the first toxic release inventory reports were issued, "DuPont was the number one polluter," recalls Dawn Rittenhouse, the corporations director of sustainable development. In the wake of the 1984 release of methyl isocyanate gas from a pesticide plant (not owned by DuPont) that claimed thousands of lives in Bhopal, India, the U.S. government passed a law requiring companies to provide the public with information about quantities of chemicals released from their facilities. This information, compiled in toxic release inventory reports, is available online at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website.