The Challenges and Rewards of Business Sustainability *

The Challenges and Rewards of Business Sustainability *

What is a Sustainable Business?

 

A Sustainable business or green business, is a business that has minimal negative impact on the global or local environment, community, society, or economy.  A sustainable business embraces the concept of the triple bottom line approach to accounting. 

Many perceive the triple bottom line to create greater business value and to increase opportunities to serve those customers who lean toward environmentally sound solutions to everyday situations.



 

Business Sustainability Criteria

 

Many sustainable businesses embrace environmental policies.  A sustainable business is considered to be green if it matches the following four criteria:

 

  1. A sustainable business incorporates sustainability into all facets of it’s business.
  2. A sustainable business supplies environmentally friendly products or services that replace non-green products or services.
  3. A sustainable business is greener than it’s non-green competition.
  4. A sustainable business commits environmental practices in it’s business operations.

 

Business Sustainability in other words, is a business that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 

 

Is Sustainability Social Responsibility?

 

Sustainability is often confused with corporate social responsibility, however the two are not the same.  While ethics, morality, and other social norms permeate CSR, sustainability only obliges businesses to make trade offs to safeguard the environmental equity of future generations.  Looking short term is the bane of sustainability.

Green business is seen as a mediator of economic versus environmental relationships in business.  Many feel that if embraced by all, sustainability would diversify our economy, even if it has little actual effect at lowering atmospheric Carbon levels.

 

What are Green Jobs?

 

“Green Jobs” definition is ambiguous at best, however most agree that green jobs should be linked to clean energy.  Because of this connection green jobs should contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Corporations can be seen as generators of not only “green energy”, but as producers of new realities which result from the technologies developed and deployed by these firms.

 

Sustainability is Environmental

 

Sustainable businesses main goal is to eliminate or decrease the environmental harm caused by the production and consumption of their goods.  The impact of such human activities is the greenhouse gases produced.

These gases can be measured in units of carbon dioxide and is often referred to as the carbon footprint.  Carbon footprint is usually defined as the total emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product, expressed as it’s carbon dioxide equivalent.

 

What are Green Initiatives?

 

Businesses take a wide range of green initiatives.  One of the most common examples is the act of “going paperless” or sending electronic correspondence instead of paper when possible.

Examples of sustainable business practices include repurposing used products, a great example is tuning up used commercial fitness equipment for resale.  Another would be revising production processes to eliminate waste, and choosing nontoxic raw materials and processes. 

For example, Canadian farmers found that hemp is a sustainable alternative to rapeseed in their traditional crop rotation.  Hemp grown for fiber or seed requires little or no pesticides or herbicides.

Sustainable business leaders also consider the “life cycle costs” for the items they produce.  Input costs must be considered in regards to regulations, energy use, storage, and disposal.

Designing for the Environment is also an important element of sustainable business practices.  This process enables users to consider a products potential environmental impacts and the process used to make that product.

The many green practices possibilities have led to considerable pressure being put upon companies from consumers, employees, government regulators and other stakeholders.  If given a choice, most customers will choose the “green product” if it is economically feasible.

 

What is Greenwashing?

 

Some companies have resorted to “greenwashing” instead of making actual and meaningful changes.  They simply market their products in ways that suggest green practices.

Greenwashing is a form of spin in which green PR or green marketing is used to promote the perception that an organization’s products, aims or policies are environmentally friendly.  Evidence that a business is greenwashing often comes when more money or time has been spent advertising being “green”, than is actually spent on environmentally sound practices. 

Greenwashing efforts can simply involve changing the name or label of a product evoking the environmental credibility of a product when it actually contains harmful chemicals.  Or greenwashing can be a multimillion dollar marketing campaign portraying a highly polluting company as eco-friendly.

 

Sustainability is Social

 

Companies that contribute to their communities, whether through employee volunteers or through charitable donations are considered to be socially sustainable.  Due to their community involvement, they are given social credibility toward being recognized as a sustainable business.

Businesses are often also recognized for encouraging education by employee training, and internships to mentor other community members.  These practices serve to increase education levels and quality of life in their community.

However to be truly sustainable, a business must foster a reverence for our natural resources and our environment.  The sustainable business reaches beyond social resources to enhance it’s reputation within the community it serves.

 

Sustainability Characteristics

 

Innovation & Technology

 

This inward examination of corporate sustainability practices focuses on a company’s ability to change its products and services making them produce less waste and emphasize sustainable best practices during all company activities.

 

Collaboration

 

This examines the formation of networks and partnerships with similar or partner companies to facilitate knowledge sharing and help propel innovation to new levels of achievement.

 

Process Improvement

 

Ongoing surveys help create improvement in the business processes which are essential to reduction in waste.   Enhanced employee awareness of your company sustainability plan further integrates the new and improved business processes.

 

Sustainability Reporting

 

Tracking progress made to embrace sustainability is necessary to report on company performance in achieving their goals.  Corporate sustainability goals are often incorporated into the corporate mission statement to further enhance the company sustainability strategy.

 

Greening the Supply Chain

 

To emphasize corporate adherence to their sustainability goal, procurement is a vital component of that strategy.  Sustainable procurement is a huge part of a company’s environmental impact, being much larger than the impact of the products they may consume.

Third party certifications, such as those given by the B Corporation (certification) model is a good example of one that encourages companies to focus on their sustainability issues and processes.  Companies could also implement an internal sustainability measurement and management system which included a forum for all stakeholders to discuss their sustainability issues.

 

Corporate Sustainability Strategies

 

Corporate sustainability strategies take advantage of sustainable revenue opportunities, protecting the value of the business against factors such as increasing energy costs.  A sound sustainability strategy also helps to mitigate the costs of meeting regulatory requirements, any changes in the way customers perceive brands and products, and the volatile price of resources.

Sustainability characteristics might not all be incorporated into a company’s Eco-strategy portfolio immediately. However their inclusion in your corporate sustainability strategy is very important to your corporate reputation.  The widely practiced sustainability characteristics include: Innovation, Collaboration, Process Improvement, Sustainability reporting, and Greening your supply chain. 

 

Triple top-line value production

 

Triple top-line values production establishes three requirements of sustainable business activities for companies.  These activities require financial benefits for the company, natural world betterment, and social advantages for employees and members of the local community. 

Each of these three components is recognized as equal in status.  While many businesses already embrace the triple bottom line approach to business sustainability, “triple top line” stresses the importance of initial process design and is a term attributable to McDonough and Braungart in their book Cradle to Cradle.

 

Nature-based knowledge and technology

 

This mimicry based principle involves the emulation of the natural world, adopting principles found in nature to help us grow our food, harness and use energy, and in building things and conducting business. 

The principles are also important for healing ourselves, and to help us process information and design our communities to exist in harmony with nature.

 

Products of service or products of consumption

 

Products of service are durable goods routinely leased by customer’s, that are made of technical materials and are returned to the manufacturer and re-processed into a new generation of products when they are worn out, obsolete, or simply no longer needed.

Products of consumption are shorter lived items made only of biodegradable materials. They can be broken down by organisms after the products lose their usefulness.  These products are also not hazardous to humans or our environmental health.

This principal requires that we manufacture only these two types of products and mandates the gradual reduction of products of service and their replacement with products of consumption as technological advancements allow us to do so.

 

Sustainable energy

 

This principle advocates for sustainable energy produced using solar, wind, geothermal and ocean energy that will be able to meet our future energy needs without negative polluting effects for life on earth.

 

Local-based organizations and economies

 

This principle envisions durable, beautiful and healthy communities, locally owned and operated businesses and locally managed non-profit organizations, partnering with regional corporations and shareholders.  All of these diverse groups working together in a web of partnerships and collaborations.

 

Continuous improvement process 

 

This principle envisions operational processes inside successful organizations which include provisions for constant advancements and upgrades as the company transacts its day-to-day business.  The continuous process of monitoring, analyzing, redesigning and implementing is used to ensure the success of Triple Top Line value production as conditions change and new opportunities emerge.

 

Challenges and Opportunities

 

Implementing sustainable business practices may have an effect on profits and a firm’s financial ‘bottom line’.  Initially, this financial challenge might make many corporate executives cringe.  However, during a time when environmental awareness is popular, green strategies are likely to be embraced by employees, consumers, and other stakeholders.

 

Environmental Performance Affects Economic Performance

 

In fact, according to many studies, a positive correlation exists between environmental performance and economic performance.  If an organization’s current business model is inherently unsustainable, becoming a truly sustainable business requires a complete makeover of the business model.

This presents a major challenge because of the differences between the old and the new model.  It also requires reviewing how the respective skills, resources and infrastructure needed may change with a new business model.  . A new business model can also offer major opportunities by entering or even creating new markets and reaching new customer groups.

Companies leading the way in sustainable business practices are taking advantage of sustainable revenue opportunities as they move into the future.  Recent surveys suggest that the demand for green products appears to be increasing, with 27% of respondents stating they are more likely to buy a sustainable product and/or service than 5 years ago.  Furthermore, sustainable business practices may attract talent to your business and generate tax breaks for your business.

 

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

 

If you would like to calculate your Carbon Footprint, follow the link to the free carbon footprint calculator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  

 

Earthy PNW-Inspired Wedding at Lake Creek Lodge *

Earthy PNW-Inspired Wedding at Lake Creek Lodge *

We’re all about sustainable weddings here at Junebug, and Alex and Wolf’s earthy PNW-inspired wedding at Lake Creek Lodge is no exception. The couple—who love everything outdoorsy—hired planner AE Creative to turn the historic cabins into a wildflower wonderland. Alex and Wolf planted flowers along the pathway to the ceremony while florist Summer Robbins filled the tented reception space with an abundance of greenery and sunflowers. Not to mention, hand-made and hand-delivered Alex’s intricate flower crown. 

Although we could go on forever about the natural and DIY touches the couple added to the day, we think Abby of AE Creative summed it up perfectly. 

Abby of AE Creative On The Day

The wedding was a wildflower woodland dream. Alex and Wolf are avid outdoors lovers and skilled climbers. The year leading up to their wedding, they lived in their converted van with their rescue dog, Dude. They spent the year traveling to national parks, climbing, and living life to the fullest. They try to tread a lighter footprint for their wedding day–literally by being barefoot the majority of the day–which also encouraged guests to kick off their shoes and enjoy the forest floor beneath their feet. 

We created camping mugs with a custom design of their van on the side that guests used to find their seats and toast to the couple. Every detail was thought through with nature in mind. All of the florals were locally grown, their food menu used local organic ingredients, and no single-use plastics were used. The venue has onsite cabins for about 60 people, so most of the guests were able to stay onsite together for a true wild Oregon wedding weekend!

Ready to frolic through the flower fields with us? Then keep scrolling to see the enchanting photos captured by Anna Caitlin.

The Couple:

Alex and Wolf

The Wedding:

Lake Creek Lodge, Camp Sherman, Oregon

Natural Wedding Day Vibes

We wanted an approachable and naturally beautiful wedding that welcomed our loved ones and brought them in to celebrate our love. Our lives are centered around the outdoors and the peace it can bring. Because of this, we wanted natural elements in every possible place. We even planted native wildflowers along the pathway guests walked to the ceremony site. The ceremony set the stage for the whole day, taking place in the forest along a stream. We stood under giant douglas fir and ponderosa pines with beautiful floral installations that appeared to have grown over our archway and along the aisles. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable while being surrounded by love and nature.

An Emotional Walk Down The Aisle

The most memorable part of the day was seeing my husband tear up at the ceremony as my Dad and I walked down the aisle. We both felt so relaxed. I was barefoot walking through the forest toward my partner on pine needles. It was unbelievably peaceful. I was so calm and happy from the inside out.

The Bride Emphasised The Importance of a Planner 

Try to find a wedding planner that really understands your dynamic and that values what you both think is important. Our wedding wasn’t large, but the opportunity to have a full planner—and her team—helping us made the whole experience less stressful and full of joy. A planner is more worth it than an expensive dress or cake, in my opinion.

Custom Wedding Favors

We gave camp mugs created by Abby at AE Creative that had a custom graphic of our Pro-master van we lived in. They were pure magic. I’ve seen guests using them to this day and they’ve even been used as basil planters. That connection to the earth makes us smile.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Anna Caitlin
Event Planning – AE Creative
Venue – Lake Creek Lodge
Floral Design – Summer Robbins
Catering – White Pepper
Cake – Foxtail Bakeshop
DJ – Flip Flop Sounds
Live Music – The Riverside Folk
Videography – Benjamin Edwards
Calligraphy – My Fair Letters
Makeup Artist – Stephenie Jayne Makeup Artistry
Hair Styling – Head Over Wheels Hair Co
Wedding Dress – Willowby by Watters
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – BLHDN
Groom’s Apparel – Nordstrom
Tent – West Coast Event Productions
Event Staff – The Broomsmen
Rentals – Archive Rentals
Bar – Crafted Life

Congratulations again to Alex and Wolf on their earthy PNW-inspired wedding at Lake Creek Lodge. We’re so thankful that Anna Caitlin was there to capture every magical detail and that AE Creative shared it with us! If you’re planning your own DIY nuptials, check out our DIY wedding guide: everything you need to know about planning your own!

 

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