Sustainability is a business approach that creates long-term value by considering an organization’s operational impact on the ecological, social, and economic environments. Given the added pressures of corporate responsibility and the growth of transparency in business practices, the need to follow sustainability practices is growing.
Sustainability is built on three core pillars. Economic development means giving the community what it wants without sacrificing the quality of life and reducing the financial burden of doing the right thing. Social development focuses on the mindfulness and legal protection of human health from business activities and ensuring access to basic natural resources without sacrificing the quality of life. Environmental protection focuses on the study and protection of ecosystems and how technology can contribute to environmental sustainability.
Why is sustainability important?
Sustainability practices are necessary if humans expect to enjoy the same quality of life, diversity of life, and Earth’s unique ecosystems in the future. The planet will inevitably be depleted of fossil fuels, animal species will continue to become endangered and extinct, and environmental problems will worsen without the push and practice of sustainability programs.
Everyone can play a role in creating a sustainable future, from businesses to consumers. You may not realize it, but traditional home cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that damage sensitive skin. The type of detergent you use to get clean laundry plays an important role in your personal environmental impact.
Tru.Earth produces a line of environmentally friendly laundry detergent products that have a smaller eco-footprint than conventional laundry detergents. Their recyclable bottles are made with zero waste plastic packaging and their strips are biodegradable. The smart hypoallergenic laundry detergent is phosphate and paraben-free, dye and chlorine bleach-free, 1,4-dioxane-free, and vegan and cruelty-free.
Tru.Earth’s eco-friendly laundry detergent has a low-suds formula that’s suitable for all types of washing machines. The detergent brand also produces dryer sheets and fabric softeners in different scents or fragrance-free. Making the switch to an eco-friendly detergent is an easy way to reduce your environmental impact each time you run a load of laundry.
How can a business be sustainable?
Sustainable business practices should have a positive social and/or environmental impact that helps address issues such as climate change and income inequality. Implementing eco-conscious practices requires strong organizational leadership skills, an understanding of sustainability leadership, and ensuring that practices align with public policy.
Graduate students interested in the field of sustainability can earn a master’s degree in sustainable solutions from the Presidio Graduate School. The school of sustainability offers the only graduate program of its kind in the United States. Students can earn a masters in sustainability in 53 credit hours as part-time or full-time students. The MBA program includes coursework in social justice, systems thinking, sustainability literacy, ethics, and other business fundamentals.
Sustainability is the new path to financial success.
Sustainable business practices are essential to the financial success of today’s businesses. Poor business practices can quickly damage an organization’s reputation, leading to lost customers and an expensive public relations nightmare. Sustainable planning protects both businesses, employees, and the environment from potentially damaging incidents. Sustainable development has the added benefit of creating a competitive market advantage. Purpose-driven sustainability can help aid business goals by attracting a motivated, skilled workforce that can drive financial goals.
Consumers are becoming more educated about the benefits of natural ingredients, consuming less energy, and doing their part to reduce their eco-footprint. This enlightenment has lead consumers to switch from products containing harmful ingredients to zero waste, no cruelty, sustainably-produced products. Consumers are willing to pay a higher price for eco-friendly products and become loyal to businesses that practice the sustainability they preach.
