| Sustainability as a concept is really about survival. | | | | save time and money recycling unnecessary |
| Simply put, it's about finding the belief, tools and | | | | packaging material. |
| actions that allow for us to continue to exist as a | | | | Local Suppliers |
| species. It's like we've journeyed so far in the wrong | | | | Give local suppliers a chance to compete for your |
| direction, that we are now trying to find our way | | | | business. You're saving on expensive transportation |
| back to a place we had long since past. It really begs | | | | costs as well as having your hard-earned dollars stay |
| the question: Weren't our communities sustainable at | | | | in your community. |
| one point and time? | | | | Farmers Markets |
| Being environmentally responsible is really about | | | | Many cities have a wholesale farmers market |
| making better choices and many require a simple shift | | | | programs. Vendors will often deliver directly to your |
| in attitude. With respect to sustainability, there are | | | | business at no charge making it both convenient and |
| the obvious choices of energy efficient light bulbs and | | | | affordable. Also, you have to added bonus of being |
| aerators on taps to save water. Other choices prove | | | | able to tell your clients just where the lettuce in their |
| harder to make as they invariably are very time | | | | salad came from. |
| consuming and have a direct impact your bottom line. | | | | Education |
| but like most things in life, the most rewarding things | | | | Acquiring Knowledge |
| are often not the easiest to accomplish. | | | | Another area of sustainability that's critical is |
| Here are some useful ideas to kick-start your own | | | | education. Attending conferences like the "Slow Food |
| sustainability program. | | | | Nation Conference" in San Francisco is an opportunity |
| Look For a Local, City Sponsored Program | | | | to gain valuable insight as well as see where |
| Begin your search on-line by finding what programs | | | | sustainability is headed, Talking with growers and |
| already exist in your area. Joining a local, government | | | | producers from your area offers learning |
| sponsored environmental group is a great way to | | | | opportunities. Most importantly, the potential of the |
| begin your companies journey to sustainability as | | | | internet to create critical mass around sustainability |
| you'll often find the necessary resources in one | | | | cannot be overlooked. For In the end, you can't have |
| convenient place. Some organizations will do in-house | | | | meaningful change without critical mass. |
| assessments of your business and help you to set up | | | | Be a Resource |
| achievable goals. | | | | Document and your new-found sustainability |
| Waste Management | | | | awareness and offer it up as a resource to others in |
| Call you current waste services provider to see if | | | | your community. Consider devoting a section of your |
| they have a compost program. What you'll no doubt | | | | website to sustainability. |
| find is the increased costs of composting will be | | | | Summary |
| off-set the decreased costs of your regular garbage | | | | One clear benefit of being a relatively small company |
| pick-up. Your next challenge was be getting staff to | | | | is that you can draft policy concerning sustainability |
| change their behavior! | | | | and effect change quickly. Have a bottom up |
| Packaging | | | | mentality that encourages input from all your staff. |
| A necessary evil, but how much of it do you really | | | | Continually set up new projects and achievable goals |
| need? When working with local suppliers make a | | | | for your business. Sustainability really is a never |
| point of asking for as little packaging as possible. Both | | | | ending journey complete with wrong turns and |
| you and your supplier benefit. Your supplier saves on | | | | unsuccessful summit attempts, but one thing is clear, |
| the cost of producing packaging material and you | | | | the journey once embarked upon can never stop! |