Zambian beekeepers who register with the company cooperative gain access to free training on sustainable beekeeping, agriculture, and forestry practices; free education for literacy, mathematics, and small-business skills; free beekeeping supplies; and farmers are under no obligation to sell solely to the company, fostering further economic growth of the region. Investors are paying attention. CREDO Mobile (San Francisco, California) was created in 1985 to help make the world a better place. Through regular dialogue with stakeholders and continual iteration, a company with a sustainability agenda is better positioned to anticipate and react to economic, social, environmental, and regulatory changes as they arise. EDUN (Dublin, Ireland) is a socially conscious clothing company launched to create sustainable employment in developing countries. In addition to the standard fare for auto and travel clubs, the Better World Club also offers bicycle roadside assistance, discounts on hybrid or biodiesel auto rentals, discounts at eco-lodging facilities, discounts on eco-tours, membership discounts for hybrid vehicle owners, an online carbon emissions calculator, carbon offsets for your auto or travel plans, and a donation of 1% of revenue to environmental cleanup efforts and advocacy. The companys goal is to create a ready-made business for local entrepreneurs and to increase access to affordable telephony for base of the pyramid customers. The company also delivers ice cream in thermo-insulated bags instead of refrigerated trucks. Cleaning agents are 100% biodegradable and earth-friendly, and the perchloroethylene-free (perc-free) cleaning process is gentle not only on your clothing and textiles but also on the environment. This can disrupt a firms ability to operate on schedule and budget. The system also improves product quality by creating regulated growing conditions. Michel Porter and Mark Kramer pioneered the idea of creating shared value, arguing that businesses can generate economic value by identifying and addressing social problems that intersect with their business. The company gives awards to peace activists and grants to nonprofit organizations working for peace. For example, when possible, electric vehicles are used for deliveries, the restaurant uses 100% renewable wind energy, organic items are on the menu, purchase of the Second Harvest Heartland pizza generates a $1 donation to this hunger relief organization, packaging is either made from recycled materials or is biodegradable, hemp products are on the menu, the menus are printed on hemp paper, produce comes from farms in Minnesota or Wisconsin when possible, the company recycles and composts, and 5% of pretax profits are donated to charity. Boulevard Bread sells only 100% Fair Trade and organic coffee, uses earth-friendly cleaners, uses recycled paper products, and recycles glass, cardboard, aluminum, and plastics. The company partners with nonprofits to support sustainable farming practices and environmental causes. The documentary For Tomorrow: The TOMS Shoe Story follows the early days of the company and its initial Shoe Drops. Additionally, Alaffia and Agbanga Karite donate 10% of sales proceeds (or 30% of income, whichever is greater) to community empowerment projects, AIDS and malaria outreach, and educational scholarships in Togo. As the 24th biggest industrial consumer of water, Coca Cola has now invested $2 billion to reduce water use and improve water quality in the communities in which it operates. If you do not have local recycling facilities, the company encourages you to return your tin to them for recycling. Some of that is self-inflicted, as early on companies tended to increase sustainable product prices substantially and in some cases sold inferior products (e.g. The center also uses nontoxic personal care products on children and environmentally friendly cleaning products throughout the building. Sales of Water Carriers Blend generate a $5 donation through the Water for All campaign for the construction of sustainable water systems in coffee-growing countries. CCI also works to incorporate sustainable conservation agricultural practices and the protection of wildlife. Studies show that firms with greater corporate responsibility performance can reduce average turnover over time by 25-50%. As part of edun LIVE, the company has created edun LIVE on campus,http://www.edunliveoncampus.com a partnership with Miami University of Ohio, to sell blank T-shirts to campus organizations with the goal to eventually expand to additional campuses. BetterWorld Telecom (Reston, Virginia) is a telecommunications company providing voice and data solutions for businesses and organizations with social and sustainable missions. To date, TOMS has donated over 60,000 pairs of shoes during Shoe Drops around the world. The salon seeks to reduce energy and water usage throughout its operations, recycles, uses nontoxic environmentally friendly cleaners, refills bottles, uses only natural and organic hair and beauty products, and purchases from beauty supply companies with sustainable practices. EDUN has established the Conservation Cotton Initiative (CCI) to improve the livelihoods of communities in Africa by promoting cotton grown organically or through methods that are part of a transition from conventional to organic production. To reduce waste, bulk soap, lotion, and shampoo dispensers are used in guest rooms and only recycled paper is used. The company uses natural nontoxic biodegradable supplies and HEPA microfiltered vacuums. Zambezi Organic Forest Honey (Oxford, Ohio) was founded by former Peace Corps volunteers who spent time in Zambia, Africa. The sustainability section of the clubs Web site outlines the many initiatives the company has undertaken in the quest for a more environmentally friendly facility. Coca-Cola, for example, faced a water shortage in India that forced it to shut down one of its plants in 2004. The lights are rugged and durable and suited for harsh conditions in which no light is available. Some of the unique ways in which Caracalla supports the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra are to buy reclaimed items for retail sale (such as mittens and hats made from old discarded sweaters), they sell vintage items, they recycle cut hair by sending it to Matter of Trust to be woven into hair mats capable of absorbing chemical oil spills, and they recycle worn pantyhose and stockings with Matter of Trust for the same purpose. Each franchise restaurant is LEED certified. Much of the strategic value of sustainability comes from the need to continually talk with and learn from key stakeholders. The entire process uses only a fraction of the typical energy used for recycling. In addition, the company created Soul Food Fund artreach programs to reach kids of all ages to help them creatively express themselves. On the contrary, academic research and business experience point to quite the opposite. The salon is decorated with reclaimed and vintage items and uses or sells eco-friendly products, such as homemade herbal wraps (no packaging waste! The company has a goal of net-zero energy usage. Items are then shipped to North America for retail sale. But what each of these case examples has in common is that they demonstrate it is possible to successfully pursue sustainability and a triple bottom line. Higher Grounds Trading Company (Traverse City, Michigan) sells organic and Fair Trade coffee. Significant cost reductions can result from improving operational efficiency through better management of natural resources like water and energy, as well as minimizing waste. Earth Tones (Denver, Colorado) bills itself as The Environmental Internet & Phone Company. The company offers Internet access and long-distance and wireless phone services. In addition to the financial benefits that accrue from increased competitive advantage and innovation as discussed earlier, companies are realizing significant cost savings through environmental sustainability-related operational efficiencies. The company emphasizes environmental and social responsibility in its operations. IceStone (Brooklyn, New York) manufactures surfaces made from recycled glass and concrete. You can choose from trips to Africa, Central America, or South America, and $100 per participant is donated to a local project. Children are served organic and hormone-free meals using local fresh ingredients created by the centers chef. The White Dog Caf (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a restaurant that supports sustainable agriculture by purchasing seasonal, local, organic ingredients from local farmers whenever possible. Plates, bowls, and cups are made from 100% renewable and compostable plant matter and water. The shop is organizing to put more solar panels on its roof in order to supply solar power to the neighborhood. When firms fail to establish good relationships with their stakeholders, it can lead to increased conflict and reduced stakeholder cooperation. Seventy-five percent of the menu is organic; the company only uses all-natural free-range chicken and organic beef, and it serves organic drinks. At Eco-Libris, the idea is simple: People can plant 1.3 trees for every book they read. However, a shift is occurring in the minds of consumers. Each product is unique, but they all have a common pocket and hand-sewn blanket stitch. Massanellis Cleaners (Jonesboro, Arkansas) offers dry-cleaning and fire-water recovery and restoration services. Flooding in 2011 in Thailand, harmed 160 companies in the textile industry and halted nearly a quarter of the countrys garment production, increasing global prices by 28%. There were many recycled and recovered materials used in the remodeling process, low and zero-VOC finishes were used, a rain barrel collection system was installed, and native landscaping is being used. According to the 2015 EY Global Institutional Investor Survey, investors are increasingly using companies nonfinancial disclosures to inform their investment decisions. The bakery produces many traditional baked goods but is well known as the exclusive supplier of brownies for Ben & Jerrys ice cream products. Eco-Libris (Newark, Deleware) is a carbon offset program. The products are created by collecting fallen leaves from plantations, taken to the factory, sprayed with high pressure water, steamed, and UV sterilized. Great Lakes Brewing Company (Cleveland, Ohio) is a microbrewery focused on the triple bottom line. The company purchases carbon offsets for the business and is carbon neutral. The company offsets its carbon emissions, and innovative mobile activism allows subscribers to stay on top of fast-moving and progressive issues and take action right from their phones. The product line consists of jackets, vests, hats, scarves, mittens, purses and bags, pins, and Christmas stockings. The garage recycles waste, buys in bulk, uses refillable containers, and specializes in the repair of fuel-efficient vehicles. Corporate sustainability initiatives aimed at improving ESG performance and proving value to society can increase employee loyalty, efficiency, and productivity and improve HR statistics related to recruitment, retention, and morale. All manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly and minimize waste. Thirty-five percent of the charitable proceeds go toward rebuilding Sierra Leone by providing school supplies and other necessities to needy children, another 35% goes toward sponsoring children around the world through Plan USA, Children International, St. Judes Childrens Hospital, and the Christian Childrens Fund. The Pinehurst Inn also purchases carbon offsets for the business as well as offsets for 50% of customers travel to the inn. Additionally, companies with superior environmental performance experienced lower cost of debt by 40-45 basis points. The Transport bag collection is made from recycled aluminum and rubber reclaimed from the shoe factory floors. The Pinehurst Inn uses solar hot water heaters, green cleaning products, and organic linens and towels. A focus on sustainability can also unlock opportunities for process and logistics savings. The company delivers pizzas in company-owned hybrid vehicles, uses compostable food containers, and offsets 100% of power consumption through renewable energy certificates. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of businesses moving toward sustainability. Companies can also charge higher price premiums based on positive corporate responsibility performance. IceStone continuously conducts product research to seek the most eco-friendly and local materials possible. It can also reduce annual quit rates by 3-3.5%, saving replacement costs up to 90%-200% of an employees annual salary for each retained position. While the facility is fully equipped with all the standard equipment found in any gym, the equipment has been retrofitted to capture, store, and reuse energy produced from the use of elliptical trainers and stationary bikes. While too numerous to list, here is a small sampling of what the company has accomplished. Research is finding that 21st century employees are focusing more on mission, purpose, and work-life balance. In the first ever Fair Trade deal with a plantation, Fair Trade Sports sources rubber from the Frocester Plantation in Sri Lanka and from the New Ambadi Rubber Estate. To address these threats along their supply chain, companies like Mars, Unilever, and Nespresso have invested in Rainforest Alliance certification to help farmers deal with climate volatility, reduce land degradation, and increase resilience to drought and humidityall of which ensure the long-term supply of their agricultural products. The company recycles, composts, uses biodiesel in delivery trucks, and uses recycled paper. IKEAs line of sustainable products like LED bulbs and solar panels from its Products for a More Sustainable Life at Home now generate a billion dollars. The remaining 30% of charitable proceeds go toward Kiva loans for entrepreneurs in developing countries and to the Rebuilding Sierra LeoneOneChild at a Time campaign. The company philosophy is Bake well, be creative, have fun and give back. Immaculate Baking Company works hard to maximize its social impact by baking Cookies With a Cause. The company created the Folk Artists Foundation to provide support and exposure for folk artists. Early funds generated from the Society led to the installation of a pump and piping system for nearby plantation households to access well water and to the restoration of a restroom facility on the plantation. Located in a historic house, when they remodeled they preserved the original wood floors and added linoleum floors where new flooring was needed. The company has been recognized for environmental stewardship and was an official sponsor of the Green Jobs Now fair held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Now that you are familiar with the concept of sustainable business and how it impacts every aspect of the business, we are delighted to turn to real case examples of sustainable business practices. Wal-Mart, for example, aimed to double fleet efficiency between 2005 and 2015 through better routing, truck loading, driver training, and advanced technologies. In addition, the company purchases and sells recycled items, such as paper, bags, office supplies, toilet tissue, hand towels, pet toys, and even biodegradable bags for picking up dog waste. For example, the Kids Corner offers ecological activities and an alternative heroes coloring book (about real-life heroes!). This project encourages customers to visit neighborhoods they otherwise might not visit and to support minority-owned businesses and cultural institutions. For example, social conflict related to disruptions to water supplies in Peru has resulted in the indefinite suspension of $21.5 billionin mining projects since 2010. All petroleum-based machine lubricants have been replaced with soy-based lubricants. The Trade for a Change fund-raising program allows nonprofit organizations to sell Higher Groundss organic and Fair Trade blends and thus increases sales for the coffee farmers. Hotlips Pizza (Portland, Oregon) is a family-owned four-restaurant business. Llamadas Pedaleadas (Managua, Nicaragua), or Pedaled Phone Calls, is a bicycle-pedaled mobile cart with public telephones on board. Trucks are equipped with solar panels to recharge the mowers throughout the day. The finished dark chocolatecovered cacao goodies are packaged in recycled and reusable tins featuring the work of emerging artists. Izzys Ice Cream Caf (St. Paul, Minnesota) makes homemade ice cream using local ingredients, when possible, such as local maple syrup and dairy and cream from local and family-owned farms. Keen Footwear (Portland, Oregon) began in 2003 with the Hybrid: part shoe, part sandal; a cross between an athletic shoe and a sandal. Free Range Studios (Washington, DC) is a full-service creative agency delivering progressive socially minded messages for clients. The company follows a triple bottom line approach (people, profit, and planet). And the company also composts waste to create fertilizer to grow herbs and vegetables for menu items. IceStones glass and mother-of-pearl are recycled from post-industrial and post-consumer sources. One of the most unique parts of the Good Project I was the Do-Some-Good-Now Commitment. Caracalla supports the local economy by purchasing from local and organic suppliers, particularly other sustainable or green businesses, and buys in bulk to reduce packaging waste. When possible, gold and platinum are reclaimed through recycled jewelry and industrial waste. baabaaZuZu (Lake Leelanau, Michigan) makes clothing from items that would otherwise be discarded. The company buys organic produce from local sources when possible. The company purchases coffee beans directly from small family farms and cooperatives in Guatemala, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Nicaragua. This is accomplished in several ways. The company promotes fair human resources practices and worklife balance, and it also supports nonprofits that share similar values and ideals. Higher Groundss Fair Trade Tours invites you to join them on a trip to partner farms and Fair Trade collaborators. Drawing from our own research and our colleagues research in this area, we have created a sustainability business case for the 21st century corporate executive. Some of these companies are making gains in one of the dimensions of sustainability (social, environmental, economic); others have a fully developed three-dimensional approach to sustainability. An incredible 25% of all profits go toward charitable causes. sweetriot offsets all employee travel and office emissions and offers customers the option to offset carbon dioxide emissions for shipping their order.