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What is Sustainability?
Why the Missoula Area?
What are sustainable Business practices?
Why should I join the SBC?
Are you a green or environmental organization?
Are you an alternative to the Missoula Chamber of Commerce or the Missoula Downtown Association? What is Sustainability?
There are many definitions of sustainability. Webster’s dictionary defines sustainability as, "using a resource so that it is not depleted or permanently damaged."
More and more people and communities are trying to understand sustainability and the linkages between efficient economic development, preservation of the environment and quality of life for future generations.
The following definitions about sustainability --although different-- share a common theme that weaves them together.
* "An economic state where the demands placed upon the environment by people and commerce can be met without reducing the capacity of the environment for future generations." Paul Hawken, author and businessman
* "Sustainability refers to the ability of a society, ecosystem, or any such ongoing system to continue functioning into the indefinite future without being forced into decline through exhaustion…of key resources." Robert Gilman, President of Context Institute
* "A sustainable community is one that seeks improved public health and a better quality of life for all its residents by limiting waste, prevent pollution, maximizing conservation and promoting efficiency, and developing local resources to revitalize the local economy." Concern, Inc.
* "Sustainable development is the process of working towards the long term health and vitality of our city and its citizens with regard to ecological, social, cultural and economic processes." Sustainable Calgary, Canada
* Sustainability is "…human use of the environment balanced with the regenerative capacities of the ecosystem." David Korten, author
* The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts defines sustainable production as: "the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are: non-polluting; conserving of energy and natural resources; economically viable; safe and healthful for workers, communities, and consumers; and, socially and creatively rewarding
for all working people."
The common theme in these definitions is economic security, community vitality, ecological integrity, equity and commitment to the welfare of future generations. We believe our vision, mission, and values reflect all these definitions. The framework we are providing unites existing Missoula area sustainable businesses and encourages all businesses to protect the environment, strengthen the local economy, encourage the efficient use of resources, and to protect and enhance our quality of life. Why the Missoula Area? There are a growing number of individuals, businesses, and organizations in the Missoula Area that are aware of their relationship to the environment and they are utilizing sustainable business practices. We would like to provide a network of support to these entities in the Missoula area. We want to encourage, educate, and help facilitate all businesses in their transition to sustainable business practices.
Businesses are beginning to realize they can thrive and flourish while protecting and restoring the environment. Every individual, business and organization is a potential ally in our effort. We encourage all businesses to adopt sustainable business practices.
Consumers are also searching for these sustainably minded businesses and businesses are aware of the power of consumer purchasing. By bringing the consumer and these businesses together we are creating a vibrant local economy.
Our Sustainable Business Council strengthens the local economy, increases competitive advantage, offers marketing and employment opportunities, and gives a common voice to Missoula area businesses.
In the Missoula area we value our mountains, people, rivers, communities, wildlife, economy, and open spaces. We recognize that we have a connection to the environment. And our business practices should reflect these values that are inherent where we live. We want to have a vibrant business economy and community that works within the cycles of nature.
We hope our Sustainable Business Council will serve as a role model to inspire other Montana communities to do the same. What are Sustainable Business Practices? Sustainable business practices are designed to save money, protect the environment, earn customer trust, comply with and exceed regulations, honor employees, boost efficiency and productivity, strengthen the economy, and create market opportunities.
Some sustainable practices to strive for include:
* Create a sustainable vision, mission statement and sustainable core values...
Vision is a concrete picture of where you want to be in 3-4 years, where anything is possible.
Mission statement is why you exist. It answers the question, "What is the ultimate result of your work?
It focuses on the outcomes and results,and can easily be memorized.
Core values are characteristics that define you. They are the values you want to see more evident
in your daily lives.
* Communicate to the public your vision, mission, and values
* Engage in strategic planning
* Recycle/Precycle- Use materials in continuous cycles
* Buy recycled (It’s not recycling unless you buy recycled!)
* Choose products with an environmentally friendly life cycle
* Use printing products that are environmentally friendly
* Use cleaning supplies that are environmentally friendly
* Reduce Office Waste
* Find uses for manufacturing by-products-(See our materials exchange)
* Group purchasing
* Group marketing
* Practice employee performance evaluations.
* Motivate employees with unique benefits.
* Encourage employee participation in the community.
* Celebrate employee activities in the community
* Create rewards, incentives, and recognition for employees who take on leadership in sustainability efforts.
* Acknowledge employee performance, work ethic, and community participation
* Encourage the use of alternative transportation
* Create incentives for alternative transportation
* Adopt alternative energy sources and practices
* Practice Energy efficiency
* Practice Water efficiency
* Build an environmentally friendly building
* Rent or lease instead of buy equipment
* Teleconference instead of travel
* Understand how your business affects the environment by evaluating the relationship with suppliers and customers, and the full life-cycle of your products and services.
* Practice Extended Product Responsibility (the idea that there’s a shared responsibility—among suppliers, manufacturers, and consumer) for reducing the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycles.
* Develop Eco Industrial Parks- a concept that consists of a series of businesses linked not only by proximity but by production inputs and outputs.
* Practice continuous improvement- always striving towards sustainability
* Seek awards for your sustainability efforts
* Learn from your mistakes
* Toot your own horn about your sustainable business practices
Sustainability is a great challenge. Remember to start by making changes where they can be done profitably. And gradually take on more. Your improving performance will help you seize market opportunities that benefit you, the consumer, and the environment.
Why should I join the SBC?
The SBC was formed to support businesses that would like to pursue more environmentally and socially sustainable practices, while maintaining or enhancing their economic viability. The SBC provides members with opportunities to network with like minded business people, to share ideas (and "waste" materials) with others, to receive education in the latest developments in sustainable practices, and to communicate with sustainability minded customers.
These opportunities are provided through bi-monthly meetings, workshops, a web site, publications, and marketing materials made available to sustainability minded consumers. Our web site includes information pages, links to other information sources, an events calendar, a materials exchange, a speakers list and a member directory that potential customers may use to find a business committed to sustainability. Each business member receives a "page" on our web site where they may describe their business, its sustainable features and provide contact information for consumers. Members may also take advantage of discounts offered by other members on recycled paper products, curbside recycling service, and advertising.
By helping businesses reduce energy use, reduce waste production, attract sustainability minded consumers, and keep workers satisfied thus keeping turnover rates low, SBC helps business improve their economic bottom line while improving their environmental and social performance as well. In a world with rising power prices and shortages of natural gas and other fuels projected for the near future and one in which approximately one quarter of American consumers are looking for more environmentally friendly or sustainable lifestyles, SBC membership can prove to be an important tool for businesses. In short, the SBC will help a business adapt to the changing resource landscape and market expectations in Missoula and the world. Are you a green or environmental organization?
If you are asking whether the SBC is an environmental activist organization, the answer is no. The SBC is a business organization that is interested in environmental issues and "green" business practices as well as socially responsible practices. Our overarching goal is to help businesses become more environmentally and socially sustainable by helping them reduce energy use, reduce materials use, reduce waste, improve employee relations, improve community relations, and adopt other sustainable practices. Since most of these changes have long-run cost savings or profit potential, adopting sustainable practices also helps an organization become more economically sustainable. Are you an alternative to the Missoula Chamber of Commerce or the Missoula Downtown Association?
No, in the strictest sense the SBC is not an alternative to the Missoula Chamber of Commerce or the Missoula Downtown Association. The SBC provides different support for businesses than either the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, the new Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau does, or the Missoula Downtown Association. The SBC was formed to help businesses make the transition to more sustainable practices. The SBC does so by providing members with opportunities to network with and share information with sustainability minded business people, to receive education in sustainable practices, and to communicate with potential customers who are interested in sustainability issues. The Chamber and Bureau provide a variety of marketing events like Hoopfest and marketing tools that are designed to stimulate conventional retail and hospitality business in Missoula. Additionally, they do some political advocacy and provide an opportunity to network with more conventional business owners. SBC members who benefit from these types of marketing events or who need to network with conventional suppliers due to the current lack of sustainable suppliers in Missoula may benefit from the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, Missoula Downtown Association, or Visitor's Bureau membership as well as SBC membership. |
