Comments on: Accidental to Purposeful Sustainability: Using What You Already Have to Grow Sustainability http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/02/08/accidental-to-purposeful-sustainability-using-what-you-already-have-to-grow-sustainability/ Environmental Leader Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:25:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Brooke Farrell http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/02/08/accidental-to-purposeful-sustainability-using-what-you-already-have-to-grow-sustainability/comment-page-1/#comment-178637 Brooke Farrell Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:36:26 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=31531#comment-178637 One way that companies can look at their existing operations to find opportunities for meaningful environmental efforts is by seeking out either more sustainable materials coming into their supply chain, and/or by reducing waste coming out of their supply chain. Not all companies are even cognizant of the true impact of their supply chains, but when you break it down and really think about where all of the materials your company uses comes from, it really adds up. Particularly for companies in manufacturing or companies with more significant waste streams, services like www.recyclematch.com can help find sources or solutions that lower costs and environmental impact. One way that companies can look at their existing operations to find opportunities for meaningful environmental efforts is by seeking out either more sustainable materials coming into their supply chain, and/or by reducing waste coming out of their supply chain. Not all companies are even cognizant of the true impact of their supply chains, but when you break it down and really think about where all of the materials your company uses comes from, it really adds up. Particularly for companies in manufacturing or companies with more significant waste streams, services like http://www.recyclematch.com can help find sources or solutions that lower costs and environmental impact.

]]> By: Annie Gardiner http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/02/08/accidental-to-purposeful-sustainability-using-what-you-already-have-to-grow-sustainability/comment-page-1/#comment-178306 Annie Gardiner Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:23:30 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=31531#comment-178306 I appreciate the infusion of internal and external customer behavior and attitudes into your concept of "accidental to purposeful" sustainability. If we are to engage people in meaningful ways, we have to understand how they think and feel, and meet them where they are currently. That said, given the urgency of the current situation, employee and customer engagement must be complemented with robust sustainability leadership at the top, infused throughout all management, marketing, communications, and operational activities. I appreciate the infusion of internal and external customer behavior and attitudes into your concept of “accidental to purposeful” sustainability. If we are to engage people in meaningful ways, we have to understand how they think and feel, and meet them where they are currently. That said, given the urgency of the current situation, employee and customer engagement must be complemented with robust sustainability leadership at the top, infused throughout all management, marketing, communications, and operational activities.

]]> By: Fred Riethmiller http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/02/08/accidental-to-purposeful-sustainability-using-what-you-already-have-to-grow-sustainability/comment-page-1/#comment-178300 Fred Riethmiller Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:36:33 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=31531#comment-178300 I was just assigned as a Sustainability Officer in my company and have been charged with instituting a program like you describe. Unlike the enviro-crazy approach that Mr. Bergdoll fails to describe, I think your recommended process is logical, pragmatic and more likely to succeed in a corporate environment. I feel better prepared to take on this task now, thanks. I was just assigned as a Sustainability Officer in my company and have been charged with instituting a program like you describe. Unlike the enviro-crazy approach that Mr. Bergdoll fails to describe, I think your recommended process is logical, pragmatic and more likely to succeed in a corporate environment. I feel better prepared to take on this task now, thanks.

]]> By: John Bergdoll http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/02/08/accidental-to-purposeful-sustainability-using-what-you-already-have-to-grow-sustainability/comment-page-1/#comment-178227 John Bergdoll Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:03:55 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=31531#comment-178227 I was following the logic your article but after reading it a few times I realized that with this approach the best you can hope for is to 'capitalize on the current culture' and what they most feel comfortable doing for a purposeful sustainability program. My issue is that we cannot be satisfied with 'what is comfortable,' we must be changing our behaviors significantly. Last year, experts determined that we have about 10 years to effectively turn things around. A 'comfortable approach', I fear, will not result in a significant lasting impact. In Al Gore's newest book, he quotes an Indian proverb,'If you want to fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' We must go far quickly. Respectfully, John Bergdoll Twitter @JohnBergdoll I was following the logic your article but after reading it a few times I realized that with this approach the best you can hope for is to ‘capitalize on the current culture’ and what they most feel comfortable doing for a purposeful sustainability program. My issue is that we cannot be satisfied with ‘what is comfortable,’ we must be changing our behaviors significantly.

Last year, experts determined that we have about 10 years to effectively turn things around. A ‘comfortable approach’, I fear, will not result in a significant lasting impact.

In Al Gore’s newest book, he quotes an Indian proverb,’If you want to fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ We must go far quickly.

Respectfully,
John Bergdoll
Twitter @JohnBergdoll

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