Green to Gold tells the story of how DuPont's Conoco oil tanker collided with a tugboat in Louisiana in 1997 and got a huge gash torn away from the hull. Instead of causing a massive oil spill, the company averted disaster due to some forward thinking - years ahead of regulations, DuPont had mandated double hulled tankers, so in this case, the outer hull ripped, while the inner hull and its contents remained intact. No oil was spilled. DuPont had previously made an, "expensive commitment to build only double-hulled ships. They believed that the reduction in risk to both the company and the environment was worth it, and were they ever right."
If only more people had such a vision! It truly is logical thinking, to take precautions that cost extra money to ensure the company's reputation, to avoid costs associated with cleaning up a disaster if it should happen and to inspire loyalty and respect in consumers. Companies can tend to think about how cheaply they can get away with things, imagining they're saving a buck at the moment, but in the long run, it pays to invest in security and precautionary measures that support the environment and foster respect from a company's customer base.
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