As a writer, I focus my energy on elevating businesses in the sustainability sector. But what does it mean to be a sustainable business? Heck, what does sustainability even mean?
In recent years, “sustainability” has become quite the buzzword.
It is becoming increasingly more centric to many business models and we are seeing a variety of new companies emerging to provide sustainable products to consumers. This can look like the compostable straws at your local coffee shop or the zero-waste bulk grocery store that popped up around the corner. Many shops are transitioning away from single-use bags and instead are offering reusable shopping bags to customers at a reasonable price. Where there is a demand for these kinds of products, we see companies stepping up to fill it!
To speak broadly, the most common definition of “sustainability” has been established by the UN World Commission on Environment and Development as an approach that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. But what does that look like?
Sustainability exists on many levels: governmental, business, and individual! As businesses in the sustainability sector, our goal is to provide consumers with the tools and products necessary to create positive environmental change. We can look at it as a delicate balancing act between environmental and economic interests.
This starts by examining the effect your business has on both society and the environment. Even if you are not in the arena of creating and marketing an inherently sustainable product, there are strategies every company can employ to align themselves with the broader goals of environmental awareness and change. This looks like sourcing sustainable materials in the production process, consciously reducing greenhouse gas emissions, prioritizing green energy sources, and limiting and redirecting waste.
Beyond the obvious goal of improving your business’s environmental impact, centering sustainability can have a litany of positive impacts. Research demonstrates that incorporating these principles into your business model can help improve business reputation and customer relations, increase long-term revenue, and conserve various resources and their associated costs.
In summary, sustainability is a big concept! But we are starting to see the ways in which its applications are relevant to all of us on different levels. There are ways each of us can integrate principles of sustainability into our lives, our businesses, and our communities. And as we do so, we will begin to see a ripple of positive momentum.
How can you incorporate sustainability into your life?
