HOW GREEN PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES HELP YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED

WHY GREEN BUSINESS? 

A CORE GREEN BUSINESS MODEL VERSUS GREENWASHING.

GREEN CORE COMPANY: STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION NETWORK 

   

Greening Your Business & Why You Should Care

THE STORY OF ORGANIC

Sir Albert Howard (1873-1947) founder and pioneer of the organic movement espouses Whole systems over reductionism

“Mother earth never attempts to farm without livestock; she always raises mixed crops; great pains are taken to preserve the soil and prevent erosion; the mixed vegetable and animal wastes are converted into humus; there is no waste; the processes of growth and the processes of decay balance one another; ample provision is made to maintain large reserves of fertility; the greatest care is taken to store the rainfall; both plants and animals are left to protect themselves from disease.

THE STORY OF ORGANIC continued

1940: Look to the Land, Walter Northbourne first apply the word "organic" in application to farming.

1940-1978: Polarization of Organic vs. Conventional agriculture in the mid 20th Century

1979 – 1990: Growth & Recognition of Organic Agriculture 2002: USDA Certified Organic standards published: Assure quality,

prevent fraud, and promote commerce "A production system that is managed in accordance with the Organic

Foods Production Act and regulations to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.“

Those unhappy with the definition “would like to see a greater emphasis placed on issues such as locally produced foods, biological diversity, renewable energy, environmental stewardship, and social justice”

COMMON PERCEPTIONSaka BUZZWORDS

1 : of the color green

2 a : covered by green growth or foliage <green fields> b : consisting of green plants and usually edible herbage <a green salad>3 : pleasantly alluring4 : youthful, vigorous5 : fresh, new6 : not ripened or matured <green apples> 7 a : marked by a pale, sickly, or nauseated appearance b : envious —used especially in the phrase green with envy8 a : not fully processed or treated: as (1) : not aged <green liquor> (2) : not dressed or tanned <green hides> (3) : freshly sawed b : not in condition for a particular use 9 a : deficient in training, knowledge, or experience <green recruits> b : deficient in sophistication and savoir faire : naive c : not fully qualified for or experienced in a particular function10 a often capitalized : relating to or being an environmentalist political movement b : concerned with or supporting environmentalism c : tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting)

ENGER “GREEN”

THREE-LEGGED STOOL of sustainability

RAY ANDERSON – INTERFACE, Inc.

In 2007, Interface became the first carpet manufacturer to implement a process for the “clean separation” of carpet fiber from backing, allowing for a maximum amount of post-consumer material to be recycled into new products with minimal contamination.

THE BIG PICTUREWASTE REDUCTION

Throwing Away Money

Every single thing that your company disposes of, or leaves your business not as a saleable product –

Used Packaging, Waste Oil, trimmings, Emissions and Effluents, and more

- was initially purchased, and is therefore literally like throwing money

away!

THE BIG PICTUREEMPLOYEE MOTIVATION &CUSTOMER LOYALTY

Increase employee morale and motivation Attract the best and brightest employees Provide a safer and healthier work environment for employees and

customers Increase awareness of potential problems and avenues for improvement

COMPETETIVE ADVANTAGE “Green” versus “Brown” Reducing or eliminating compliance costs lowering costs through efficiencies and streamlining lower insurance premiums through healthier and safer workplaces Improving access to outside capitol and investors

GREENWASHING

“GREENWASHING” is used by marketers to try to convince people that you are doing something which is good for the environment by being involved in small, environmentally-friendly initiatives, especially as a way of hiding your involvement in activities which are damaging to the environment- Macmillan English Dictionary

Green Business Standards Certification Project for Onondaga

County

MISSION

“The Green Core Company certification provides a blueprint for businesses working to achieve green operations through reduced environmental and social impacts, and recognizes businesses that make a substantial effort to develop a culture of sustainability within their organization; while challenging the offence of greenwashing” - the unregulated and improper use of the term and methodology of “green” for marketing advantage.  

The Green Core credential provides a supported recognizable brand, and a competitive advantage at a regional level.  This certification tells the story of what it means to be a sustainable business promoting environmental stewardship, ensuring quality and safety, and connects to a greater community experience - resulting in more meaningful consumption.  Required policy and performance measurement initiatives, in addition to traditional program and action steps, will ensure long-reaching internal institutional change.

Certification is acquired through a third-party verification of implemented standards at the business’s physical location.  The credential is valid for 2- years upon which time a business must be reverified according to updated standards overseen by committee. Local oversight of the program and standards will address seven categories: Organizational Commitment and Operations, Waste Reduction & Recycling, Environmentally Responsible Purchasing, Pollution Prevention, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Storm Water Management & Efficient Water Use, and Transportation & Travel.

ENTRENCHED

SCORECARD CATEGORIES

Organizational Commitment and Operations

Waste Reduction & Recycling

Environmentally Responsible Purchasing

Pollution Prevention

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Storm Water Management & Efficient Water Use

Transportation & Travel

www.green-core-company.org

WHAT’S IT LOOK LIKE?

MORE PLEASE?

• A way to provide “service at cost” to groups of individuals or firms

• Members/owners/patrons provide capitol, patronage and governance

• Objectives: To provide services and a return on member’s patronage

• Examples: agriculture, credit unions, housing, food and hardware retail

COOPERATIVE BUSINESS

ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES a set of ideals for the operation of cooperatives. They were first set out by the Rochdale Society of

Equitable Pioneers in Rochdale, England, in 1844

1st Principle: Voluntary and Open 2nd Principle: Democratic Member 3rd Principle: Member Economic4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence 5th Principle: Education, Training and

Information 6th Principle: Co-operation among Co-

operatives 7th Principle: Concern for Community

6 PHASES OF NEW COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Identifying an OpportunityBuilding Consensus on Potential for

CooperativeDeveloping Trust among Potential MembersSecuring Member CommitmentInvolving other StakeholdersStarting up the Cooperative

2012 UPSTATE COOPERATIVES SUMMIT

BUSINESS PLANNING & START-UP

Free & Confidential Ask for a 641 Counseling Intake Form New York State Certified Business Advisor ceteraf@sunyocc.edu Onondaga Small Business Development Center

800 North Salina St, 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13208 (Outreach location at the Northside Urban

Partnership) Focus Areas:

Green Business Operations Cooperative Business Development

315-299-8228 x 12

“A History of Organic Farming-- Transitions from Sir Albert Howard's War in the Soil to the USDA National Organic Program”. By Joseph Heckman, PhD. 2006. Weston A. Price Foundation. http://www.westonaprice.org/farming/history-organic-farming.html

“Authentic Food – Authentic Farming”. By Eliot Coleman. http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/main/authentic/authentic.html

“Organic Certification”. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification

“Green”. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online. Http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green

“Greenwash” - Macmillan English Dictionary http://www.macmillandictionaries.com/wordoftheweek/archive/050110-greenwash.htm

“How to Make Your Business Greener”. Inc.com. http://www.inc.com/magazine/20061101/green50_tips.html