Guide to Environmental Sustainability

Maintain the quality of your business and your world through environmental sustainability
By Donn Saylor

Now more than ever, it is vital to preserve the capabilities of our natural environment, and arming ourselves with sustainability information is the key to success. In addition to upholding our way of life, sustainability issues also are being recognized as essential to long-term economic growth.

When it comes to environmental sustainability factors and the business world, the goals differ from industry to industry. However, there are a few goals across the board, which, with the proper approach, we can meet with satisfying and responsible results.

1. Start a sustainability committee to monitor and rework your company's approach to environmental practices.

2. Call in the experts to train your staff on the finer points of environmental sustainability.

3. Undertake company-wide sustainability programs.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Revolutionize your business with a sustainability department Starting a green committee in your workplace is a great way to get a grasp on the sustainability issues your business deals with every day. There are a variety of resources to aid you in gathering your employees together for a beneficial, pro-active teaming to address environmental concerns.

I recommend: Sustainability provider GreenBiz.com offers an informative website packed with ideas for undertaking a green initiative in your home or office. Find sustainability information at Green Is Universal; it has a wealth of resources to help you take the first steps with your newly assembled green department. Its website also features a tip of the day, ask-the-expert column and message boards.

Teach your staff to be green with sustainability training Environmental sustainability experts are the ideal source for the latest information, and there are many around the globe who offer training classes to the public. Investing in the green education of your staff is a smart and responsible step toward sustainability.

I recommend: The environmental pros at the Aarcher Institute and The Nielsen Environmental Field School conduct classes and trainings nationwide. Both schools also offer private instruction at your location.

Spearhead sustainability programs to transform your business' environmental practices With a little research, marketing and just a few dollars, you can easily develop a sustainable work environment by implementing new initiatives. For instance, a paper recycling policy is a simple way to incorporate environmental ethics into the office. Printing, copying, mailing, storing and disposal of paper can exceed the initial price of the paper by as much as 10 times.

I recommend: Any business will benefit from the Nebraska State Recycling Association's useful, straightforward recycling toolkit available for download. Earth Share has a huge page of tips to get you started. Be sure to check out the "At the Office" section for information and advice on how to start up various sustainability programs in your workplace.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

The wisdom of the well-known sustainability list of Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) is a nice reminder for colleagues and employees. As you take steps toward a more environmentally sustainable workplace, think of marketing this message in new and creative ways.