Owen Apostol

Dr. Pivo
SCS 256
31 October 2017
Sustainable Business
Sustainability is learning how to manage our environment, selves, society, and economy
in order to achieve wellbeing, for people and other living things, today and forever. The overall
goal of sustainability is to sustain the wellbeing of humans for future generations. Sustainability
has become a very important and meaningful topic in today’s world. People have become more
conscience of the limited resources on the planet. Everyone can impact the world we live in,
including businesses. Businesses are directly related to sustainability in a number of ways and
also affect the economy around us. Businesses have the ability to influence what people buy and
sell in society. They need to set the example and can pave the way for future generations by
influencing sustainability through their products and culture. Businesses can also lead by
example. Companies that do not manufacture or sell products can also be a leader in
sustainability by adopting sustainable practices within their business. Many large businesses lead
the way to help improve our environment every day. Other companies help to solve climate
change issues we are experiencing. Also, sustainable practices are important to employees and so
if companies are more sustainable that can increase employee engagement by motivating their
employees to contribute to sustainable practices (Kenworthy). Businesses can also make an
impact by being vocal and promoting sustainability. Business can contribute to sustainability in a
number of ways including by designing, manufacturing and selling sustainable products; by
adopting sustainable practices within their company, by research and development; and by being
vocal to promote sustainability.
Businesses can impact sustainability by manufacturing and selling sustainable products.
Increased technology in our society has allowed break through sustainable products to hit the
market. As technology and human knowledge keep improving, sustainable products and
technology will continue to advance: “While nothing may contribute more to the degradation
of the environment than the development of new technologies and associated industry, it is
at the technical level that any more fundamental strategies for environmental protection are
implemented” (Pawlowski 85). Direct environmental products such as wind turbines, like the
ones you see on wind farms, and solar panels are examples of these new popular, innovative
products. These products have the ability to power human society from all natural resources.
Businesses that sell these products directly contribute to making our society more sustainable.
Large companies such as German based Siemans, who produce Wind Turbines, has become a
leader in global market. As technology increases human knowledge on these energy sources
increase and these products will become more affordable for society. Wind turbines and solar
panels are becoming more popular in urban areas because of this (Chance). As the technologies
increases and prices become lower, the more the public market will be able to adopt these
products instead of primary use being funded by businesses and government. The use of solar
panels on private homes has already started to increase. This is due to lower price point along
with subsidies to promote the use of energy efficient products. There is also a huge increase in
manufacturing sustainable products across all industries, not just energy related products like
wind turbines and solar panels. Everyday house hold products, such as bottled water, are being
influenced by sustainable practices. For example Boxed Water is producing water in recycled
paper boxes which is more environmentally friendly than traditional disposable plastic water
bottles.
It is important that businesses, especially large ones, adopt sustainable practices within
their company to ensure efficient and ecofriendly production and working environment. One way
of doing so is by using all natural energy to power your company. For example, the REI store in
my home town installed solar panels in their parking lot to cover the spaces of all spots. 61
percent of the energy in their building comes from those panels and they “will provide about 80
percent of the solar power at the site, with a less visible solar array on the roof handling the rest.
The site will generate 210 kilowatts total — enough to power 22 homes and the equivalent of
taking 34 cars off the road in reduced emissions” (Petrishen) Using solar power and wind and
other forms of renewable energy are extremely efficient ways for businesses to contribute to
sustainability and reduce emissions (Petrishen). Also in company buildings and warehouses,
sustainable changes can be made within everyday actions: “Still another mode of defining
sustainable development is through the values that represent or support sustainable development”
(Kates 16). Business can strive for sustainable development changes within their daily actions
that can positively affect sustainability. For example, companies can reduce packaging on items
they produce and sell (Confino). Also they can provide recycling options in the office-for paper,
cans, and all other recycling products. Companies that use trucks to deliver products can switch
to move fuel efficient trucks or hybrid vehicles. They can also require that employees use
recycled office supplies-example could be paper, or products made from recycled products like
scissors or staplers. Many companies can have reusable dishware in their cafeterias. Instead of
using paper plates or plastic silverware if they have real plates/silverware they can wash them
and reuse them. There are many internal actions businesses can change to contribute to
sustainability (Epstein).

Companies can contribute to sustainability through research and development. California

based, Tesla is a great example of a company that is a leader in sustainability and has invested a
lot in research and development. Tesla led the way in the electronic vehicle market and become a
strong competitor to traditional gas vehicles. Tesla cars which do not use gas and have low
carbon emissions have become extremely popular. New cars are being built to be green and
better for our ecosystems. Other traditional automakers such as General Motors are now also
investing in the electronic vehicle market in order to be competitive with Tesla. As electronic
vehicles are becoming more popular the industry is also expanding to other types of vechicles,
such as motorcycles. Zero Motorcycle is another California based company that is developing
and selling electronic motorcycles. Being innovative as well help these businesses succeed in the
future.
 Because businesses are so powerful and popular amongst society, it is extremely effective
for them to promote sustainability to their customers. In order to achieve this goal of sustainable
development it takes a powerful voice with supporters behind it: “stainable development can be
viewed as a social movement—a group of people with a common ideology who try together to
achieve certain general goals” (Kates 18). This is something businesses have the ability to do.
For example, the REI CEO made a sustainability company motto. All the sustainable efforts this
company has made speaks to their supporters. They are able to increase followers, including
customers, by using sustainable practices Their overall goal is to spread the message of
sustainable actions and hope society makes the changes for a positive difference (Jabareen). REI
and Tesla examples of building a company brand on Sustainability. This support shown towards
sustainability gives the company increased business from supporters. People looking to help
sustainability issues will likely give their business to these companies vs. competitors who do not
promote sustainability.
In conclusion, businesses have the ability to contribute to sustainability by selling
sustainable products, adopting sustainable practices, investing in research and being vocal to
promote sustainability. And many companies contribute to promoting sustainability in more than
one of these ways. Businesses connect with people in everyday life and have a wide reach to
many geographic and demographic markets. People have a dependence on businesses. Because
businesses have such a large impact on human life, their actions also affect society. Thus
businesses using sustainable practices and development contribute greatly to the overall
sustainability of society. And businesses impact and contribution to sustainability will continue
to increase year over year as sustainability continues to become more important to our economy
and way of life.
 Works Cited
Chance, Tom. "Towards Sustainable Residential Communities; the Beddington Zero Energy
Development (BedZED) and Beyond." Environment & Urbanization, vol. 21, no. 2,
2009, pp. 527-544.
Confino, Jo. “Best Practices in Sustainability: Ford, Starbucks and More.” The Guardian,
Guardian News and Media, 30 Apr. 2014, www.theguardian.com/sustainable
business/blog/best-practices-sustainability-us-corporations-ceres.
Epstein, Marc J., et al. Making Sustainability Work: Best Practices in Managing and Measuring
Corporate Social, Environmental, and Economic Impacts. Routledge Ltd, Oakland,
2014;2017;.
Kates, W. Robert. “What is Sustainable Development?” Environment: Science and Policy for
Sustainable Development, Volume 47, no. 3, pages 8–21. 2005.
Kenworthy, Jeffrey R. "The Eco-City: Ten Key Transport and Planning Dimensions for
Sustainable City Development." Environment & Urbanization, vol. 18, no. 1, 2006, pp.
67-85
Jabareen, Yosef R. "Sustainable Urban Forms: Their Typologies, Models, and Concepts."
Journal of Planning Education and Research, vol. 26, no. 1, 2006, pp. 38-52.
Pawłowski, Artur. "How Many Dimensions does Sustainable Development have?" Sustainable
Development, vol. 16, no. 2, 2008, pp. 81-90.
Petrishen, Brad. “Solar Carport Powers REI Building in Framingham.” MetroWest Daily News,
Framingham, MA, MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA, 1 July 2012,
www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20120701/News/307019971