Unadulterated

The Guardian featured Pure Strategies’ report, Advancing on the Path to Product Sustainability, in an examination of the financial benefits of sustainability. Our research found the top business value gained was employee engagement, with 33% of survey respondents realizing $5m or more.

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.

The 10 Principles draw from Cheryl’s experience consulting on sustainability for several of the world’s leading food industry brands and retailers, her academic background and prior experience working within the food industry.

In countries such as the U.S., consumers are responsible for about one-third of food waste, more than any other part of the food chain. To combat this, Bon Appétit pioneered removing trays from dining halls resulting in up to 30 percent less consumer waste. They also educated their consumers by weighing and measuring wasted food at dish return stations.

Companies following product sustainability best practices are gaining benefits that include reduced costs, improved employee engagement and productivity, and increased consumer trust and brand enhancement.

Companies should use World Food Day and the examples of these leaders as an opportunity to evaluate how they could strengthen their producer partners while improving the long-term food security of the communities they touch.

Companies committed to product sustainability enjoy the benefits of manufacturing cost savings, brand enhancement, employee engagement and other important financial and organizational value.

California-based Presidio Graduate School is expanding its executive five-month Certificate Program in Sustainable Management with an east coast offering. Please share this exciting program with colleagues in your network and company. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain sustainability credentials with two-day-per-month sessions in San Francisco or Boston. I am very impressed with Presidio’s targeted, interactive program and encourage you to pass this information on to anyone who may be interested in gaining the tools to tackle a broad range of sustainability challenges.