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What is the value added proposition for sustainability? For many years I have had the privilege of discussing sustainability with organizations across the country. Regardless of the group, be it a private company, municipality, higher education institution, or K-12 school district, communicating sustainability’s value proposition is at the heart of most discussions. This is a very important issue to address and helps shape organizations' sustainability strategies. There are certainly a number of positive outcomes when establishments adopt sustainable practices.  But before we answer the “how” we need to discuss the “why.”

 

The road to becoming a sustainable organization starts with a sincere commitment from upper management. While the initial idea may originate from anywhere in an organization, real traction will never occur until leadership buys in. Supervisors bridging the gap between employees and top management are less likely to support sustainable initiatives until after their bosses have encouraged doing so. The perceived costs associated with shifting business practices is the primary obstacle in adopting sustainable practices. Since profitability is the central measure of success and management performance, significant changes in operations must undergo strict  scrutiny before proceeding.

Is Your Organization Making Progress with Sustainability?

Where are your organization’s sustainability efforts heading in 2017? Is advancing these efforts a part of your mission statement? Perhaps you have been progressing along the road to organizational sustainability for some time now and are looking for new projects to continue your development?

On May 13, 2016, Medford Township Public Schools in Medford, N.J., was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its highest public recognition for extensive environmental initiatives. Under the guidance of their Director of Operations and Technology, Joe Biluck, the school system has taken aggressive steps in a number of areas to develop a sustainable and renewable environment for students and faculty. Each year, the EPA honors individuals and organizations from several states and territories for their contributions to improving the environment during the previous year.