Sustainability Lessons from the Boy Scouts
by Tim Greiner
15 June 2015
My recent meeting with the Boy Scouts of America and their suppliers radically shifted my view of what the Scouts are about. My impression of the Boy Scouts was stuck in my experience as a Scout back in the ‘70s. As a middle schooler, I joined the Scouts to hang out with my friends. I loved the outdoor activities and the pursuit of merit badges.
Fast-forward 40 years to the Scouts Supplier Summit. In preparation for the Summit, I learned the Boy Scouts had introduced a Sustainability Merit Badge, built a platinum LEED-certified camp and training center, and were integrating sustainability into their properties, education efforts, and leadership programs. John Stewart, Director of Corporate Engagement and Sustainability Director, summed up their recent pivot towards sustainability this way: “The Boy Scouts of America are developing the next generation of leaders. And in the future, every leader will need to contend with the challenges and opportunities that sustainability presents. Wayne Brock, Chief Scout Executive (equivalent to a CEO) initiated this program and felt strongly that sustainability needs to be a part of a Scout’s experience.” What’s also interesting is how the educational programs the BSA have developed mirror the skills needed to be an effective sustainability contributor in the business environment. The Sustainability Merit Badge is a great example of this.
Written by Tim Greiner
Tim Greiner, a Pure Strategies Co-founder and Managing Director, has pioneered approaches to building environmental and social integrity into products, brands, and businesses. His experience spans the spectrum from developing sustainability strategy, drafting sustainability goals, designing product sustainability programs, creating approaches to transform sustainable supply chains and fostering collaborative mechanisms to lift the sustainability performance of entire industries. He is currently working with several progressive businesses on developing science-based targets and comprehensive climate strategies. He is a co-founder of the Chemical Footprint Project and has guided sustainable chemicals management strategies for companies across diverse industries. He has also led regenerative agriculture projects with food brands and retailers. Current and former clients include Annie’s, Walmart, Seventh Generation, Ben & Jerry’s, The North Face, Stonyfield Farm, MilliporeSigma and U.S. EPA.
Tim holds Masters’ degrees in Environmental Policy and Business from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a founding member of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Planners Association and a former Board member and President. He is also founder of the Cape Ann Climate Change Network and is a Research Associate at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. Tim has experience in industry as a Process Engineer for Fairchild Semiconductor. He also worked for the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance as Project Director and Chief Engineer.
