State of Sustainability
Michigan's sustainable business forums use the triple bottom line to develop successful business strategies promoting long term growth, responsible environmental management, and social equity.
Updated November 23, 2009
In the last issue, we allowed various sustainable business organizations from around the state to introduce themselves. In this installment, the Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition gives some background on its organization, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek organization talks best practices, WMSBF shares some insight from its first ever community conversation on sustainability, the Southeast Michigan group takes a look at sustainability's staying power, and the folks from the north share information about a couple upcoming events.
Click on the links to view information posted about each:
- The Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
- The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
- The Southwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
- The Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
- Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition (MASC)
Northwest
Patty O’Donnell
(231) 929-5039
pattyodonnell@nwm.cog.mi.us
www.nwmsbf.org
Posted November 23, 2009
Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will hold a workshop entitled, "Energy: Demand Side Management — What is it? How to Implement?" on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Michigan Works! conference room located at 1209 S. Garfield Road in Traverse City.
Also, save the date for the 2010 state conference. Make a plan to attend and stay the weekend up north. The Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Conference and Expo will be held April 28-30, 2010 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme. The event will include speakers from Michigan businesses, tours, educational sessions and networking. The conference is co-sponsored by NWMSBF, Grand Traverse Resort, the WMSBF, SWMSBF and SMSBF.
Contact Patty O'Donnell at pattyodonnell@nwm.cog.mi.us or 231-929-5039 for information about either event.
Posted August 31, 2009
The Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum was created in 2005 and is a program of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, a ten-county regional planning agency in northwest Lower Michigan. The vision of the forum is that we are united in our commitment to achieve sustainability by coming together to enhance the bottom line; protect quality of life; and improve the community – economic, environmental and social.
The forum provides workshops and events, the www.nwmsbf.org Web site, and networking to share success stories and technologies. In the past four years, several topics have been covered, including pollution prevention, waste reduction, energy efficiency and conservation, green lodging, biofuels, sustainable office operations, retooling for sustainability, green careers forum, and more.
Upcoming for this fall, winter, and spring, the forum will be developing and hosting workshops and events that will cover the following topics: conservation design, green infrastructure/low impact development, energy efficiency and demand side management, community power, water quality, biomass and power generation, alternative transportation, green tourism, local food systems, energy plans and optimization plans, the economics of sustainability, climate change, ecological footprints of businesses, and a legislative forum.
Also in the planning stages is a Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Conference and Expo tentatively planned for April 29th and 30th at the Grand Traverse Resort near Traverse City.
West
Marylu Dykstra
(616) 868-6306
mdykstra@siriusresources.net
www.wmsbf.org
Posted November 23, 2009
WMSBF: Making a Difference
What's keeping you up at night? Market share? Making payroll? Making a difference?
No kidding —making a difference is still possible in times of economic instability. The platform of sustainability as a means to change the system of business has allowed WMSBF member organizations to create positive, long range results in their businesses and in the region.
Specific to the business of doing business, at our November monthly membership meeting, Aquinas College's Matthew Tueth highlighted his new book, "The Fundamentals of Sustainability," which defines regional and national examples of how organizations are getting through difficult times by relying on sustainability. Thomas Shirilla of Consumers Energy discussed their Green Generation renewable energy program, and Jeff Potts from LeanLogistics discussed the company's GreenLanes method to reduce empty miles for truck shipments across the country.
The net out? Sustainability requires and inspires innovative thinking, which leads to cost savings, which leads to survival.
In October, the WMSBF partnered with Aquinas College Center for Sustainability, Calvin College, The Right Place Inc., West Michigan Strategic Alliance Green Infrastructure and MiBiz to convene a "Regional Conversation" to bring together representatives to discuss issues, design a set of regional sustainability principles and start mapping regional sustainability efforts.
This conversation, the first of many, is more than talk — it's about action. By gathering, itemizing our issues, developing metrics for success, creating a massive list of regional sustainability indicators and working within our individual organizations' core competencies, we hope to bring positive changes to our region.
To attract and retain our regional talent, we are initiating an undergraduate student membership to ensure that we connect with, and work with, the student population in West Michigan. By so doing, maybe WMSBF employer members can ensure that these students stay in West Michigan.
We continue to ask the questions, what are we doing, why are we doing this, and how do we measure success? Like any other organization, the WMSBF must ask these questions and evolve as an organization to meet the needs of its members and the region.
As we reflect on our name, the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, we are about sustainable business. Every organization, regardless of what it makes or what it does, by practicing sustainability, it will be sustainable. It will last. We will last. We must.
Posted August 31, 2009
In 1994, the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum consisted of a handful of companies dedicated to exploring, developing, and promoting sustainable business practices.
Fast forward to 2009 and we see that same dedication, with membership climbing beyond 100 organizations. Supporting the varied knowledge base is a balancing act, leading the WMSBF in early 2009 to seek 501(c)(3) status as an educational entity.
Ensuring a diverse balance of information is the task of the sustainable business and program Committees. Information gathered is being loaded to a Web site-based portal in development and pertinent topics are discussed at monthly meetings, which are held on the second Monday of the month from 12-2 p.m.
The September meeting, titled “Meet the Experts,” is structured into rotating roundtable discussions on topics such as facilities, energy, carbon neutral options, packaging and regulations.
Our Self Assessment Guide to Sustainable Business, currently paper-based, is being converted into a Web tool allowing organizations to gauge their sustainability practices and create a corporate sustainability report. An energy guide is near completion and will also be incorporated into a Web-based tool.
Combined, these resources help members learn about and employ strategic sustainability practices, yielding financial, environmental and community benefits. An example of a community-based project is the collaboration between the WMSBF Design Committee with Grand Rapids Community College M-Tec and Habitat for Humanity. The partnership has yielded design experience resulting in LEED certified Habitat homes, creating energy efficient, healthy environments for owners.
WMSBF membership is growing and experience and knowledge is diversified, but there is one significant common factor. We are all learning together, sharing best practices, challenges, and asking questions. People are excited to work together, setting aside industry competition to intentionally balance environmental practices, financial stability and dedication to employee and community leading to healthier organizations, community and planet.
Southwest
Lynn Spurr
(269) 544-6955
lmspurr@ftch.com
www.swmsbf.org
Posted November 23, 2009
SWMSBF: Bronson's healthy food creates healthy communities
Healthy food must be defined by nutritional quality and by a food system that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and supportive of the community.
Bronson is committed to the health of our patients, our staff, and the local and global community. Bronson's green initiatives focus on four principles: pollution prevention, energy conservation, green building design, and sustainable food.
Sustainable food is healthy food part of a nutritious, balanced diet and produced without harmful biological or chemical contaminants. It is purchased from the closest possible source to minimize energy use in transportation, is environmentally beneficial or benign in its production, and is fairly or cooperatively traded.
In 2008, Bronson Methodist Hospital was the first healthcare institution in Michigan to sign the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge as evidence of our commitment to provide local, nutritious, and sustainable food.
In two years, Bronson's Food and Nutrition Services Department purchased more than $700,000 worth of food from local food vendors, $45,000 of which has been paid directly to local farmers. This includes hormone-free milk, Fair Trade organic coffees, organic salad greens, and meals prepared using free-range chicken.
Sandwiches are made with local organic bread and cheeses from a local creamery. There are also organic beverages, snacks, and desserts. Fresh fruit and vegetables are less expensive when purchased locally.
The partnership with a local organic farm has led to a 12-week community supported agriculture (CSA) program where Bronson employees are offered a weekly delivery of farm-fresh, certified organic produce throughout the summer. In addition to serving food from local vendors, Bronson hosts an indoor winter farmers' market every other Friday December through May. The next market on Dec. 11 will host up to 10 local vendors and will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Skycourt Café at Bronson. The market provides employees and the community with a regularly accessible source for locally grown and produced foods. More information is available at bronsonhealth.com/farmersmarket.
Program Update: On November 12 and 13, 2009, WMU brought Maureen Hart, an international expert on sustainability indicators and the author of the widely acclaimed "Guide to Sustainable Community Indicators," to Kalamazoo to lead an open conversation on our vision for the future and how a community sustainability indicator project can help track progress and realize goals. Further information on these events can be found at www.swmsbf.org.
Posted August 31, 2009
The Southwest Sustainable Business Forum has been promoting the triple bottom line with a full summer of programs and activities.
The Southwest Michigan Regional Sustainability Covenant provides the catalyst for positive change in Southwest Michigan. Entities that have signed on to the Covenant have been busy developing their sustainability goals and in many cases are already implementing strategies to increase sustainable business practices in their organization.
In June, the SWMSBF partnered with the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce to host Tara Stewart, Wal-Mart’s Midwest Media Director, who shared lessons learned and milestones accomplished during the company’s journey to become a leader in sustainable business practices.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) hosted the August program meeting, giving a presentation on its wind turbine technician academy and related wind education program, and provided a tour of the new 50 KW wind turbine. The wind turbine technician academy is the first in the nation. Enrollment for the first academy session attracted applicants from across the country, as well as internationally.
Green Drinks Kalamazoo had it’s first international attendee, a sustainable business professional from Belarus. Green Drinks in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek continue to be popular, informal educational and networking opportunities that attract a wide audience.
The SWMSBF is providing planning and financial assistance to NWMSBF’s Patty O’Donnell for the next statewide SBF conference, which we expect will be a great conference and one that shouldn’t be missed.
Watch for future updates in the TBL regarding the SWMSBF. Topics such as member sustainability stories, best practices, updates on key initiatives and general information to keep us connected will be featured. The SWMSBF Web site, www.swmsbf.org, is also a great resource for information regarding upcoming meetings and events.
Southeast
Bill Stough
(616) 301-1059
bstough@sustainable
researchgroup.com
www.smsbf.org
Posted November 23, 2009
SMSBF: Are sustainable business practices a passing trend or a powerful movement?
It seems as if every business and environmental publication I pick up these days has an article on "green business" or "sustainable business." While this is a hopeful sign, how are these practices being incorporated on the shop floor?
Some say the current attention on sustainable business development is no more than a new opportunity to wrap the same old company operations in a swath of greenness by the marketing and public relations departments to attract environmentally-savvy consumers.
Others maintain a strategic focus on using the principles of sustainability to drive business decisions is the only way to succeed in the future. Where is the value in this debate, the quick and easy shallow green approach, or the more difficult and long-term dedication to deep sustainability?
The Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is working with its members to identify the economic, environmental and social value of sustainable business practices.
A recent survey of Detroit area companies found that over 80 percent of companies surveyed had not only heard about, but had taken steps to implement sustainability into their operations.
It is noteworthy that such a large segment of businesses had even heard of sustainability, not to mention had already taken steps to implement it. When asked to identify the kinds of steps taken, many answered that they were recycling office waste, purchasing recycled-content office supplies and turning off the lights when everyone leaves a room. While these activities are beneficial, they are superficial actions taken to address environmental concerns, and this approach provides little strategic value to the company.
If this is the approach, it is my opinion that these efforts will represent a temporary green trend that will ultimately be supplemented by the next temporary trend.
A deeper approach is to find business value in sustainable practices — a business ecosystem starting with operations, but ultimately composed of many other links in its supply chain. Sustainable business practices dictate a company assess the decisions it has control over to achieve the following goals within their organization and then throughout their supply chain:
1. Improve the material intensity of the products or services delivered to customers.
2. Improve the energy intensity of the products or services delivered to customers.
3. Improve the human and ecosystem health impacts of the products specified.
4. Engage stakeholders to support the company's actions.
These challenges are complementary to lean manufacturing, quality and productivity initiatives. The sustainable business philosophy is based on a belief that in the near future, the cost of raw materials, energy and toxic liability will only increase. Efficiently eliminating these issues from the system has huge strategic opportunities in the marketplace. A company employing a sustainable business philosophy can adjust quickly and take advantage of it, while competitors will be caught off guard and have to pay a premium to respond quickly in an unplanned manner.
A Critical-Mass (Movement)
Today, the challenge for these companies is to educate their supply chains so they understand the importance and start implementing serious and deep sustainable business strategies in their operations.
The SMSBF is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of the value of sustainable business practices to its members. It believes this is one of the most significant business opportunities in the history of commerce to institutionalize efficiency, design safer products and services and engage enthusiastic customers.
The forum's Nov. 19 meeting featured a discussion by John Bradburn, staff engineer of General Motors Worldwide Facilities, on the implications of New GM's approach to sustainable business operations and its supply chain implications. Future speakers from other regional OEMs are being planned as part of a series on sustainability and the regional supply chain.
Don't be lulled into a green complacency by your recycling programs; join us in digging deeper into significant and long-lasting cost savings, and new product innovations made possible by the sustainable business movement.
Posted August 31, 2009
In the spring of 2000, several community leaders gathered to create the Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. Included in the organizing committee were Rebecca Head, then with the Washtenaw County Department of Public Works; Tom Gladwin, with the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan; and representatives from the Southeast Michigan Initiative of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The committee worked with Bill Stough, CEO of Sustainable Research Group who led the founding of the first sustainable business forum in West Michigan, to help develop and implement the concept for the greater Detroit region.
The committee identified and contacted leading companies in the region to determine their interest in being involved in creating a sustainable business forum. From the start, there was significant interest and enthusiasm to initiate for an organization that would focus on promoting sustainable business practices in southeast Michigan. Within two weeks, eleven organizations pledged to be founding members: The Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, DTE Energy, Comerica Bank, The Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Holcim US. Inc., MASCO Corporation, Process Results Inc., Visteon Corporation and Washtenaw County Department of Public Works.
The SMSBF’s purpose is to enable business leaders in Southeast Michigan to create long-term and sustainable value for stakeholders in a region and world undergoing fundamental and rapid economic, environmental, and social change. To achieve this purpose, the SMSBF connects its members to experts championing sustainable business practices through cutting-edge leadership training, benchmarking, and professional networking events. SMSBF member companies represent all types and classes of business which provides innovative cross sector opportunities to drive the development of environmentally sustainable management and technology integration.
Today, the SMSBF has held over 100 monthly meetings, numerous workshops and seminars and hosted a statewide sustainable business forum conference. Hundreds of sustainability champions in Southeast Michigan are or have been active as their company’s sustainable business champion. Many of these champions have moved on to higher-level positions and are now helping lead their employer’s efforts on sustainability.
Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition (MASC)
Jon VanderMolen
GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute
www.muskegonasc.org
Posted November 23, 2009
In early 2007, a group of human service, business, government and environmental representatives formed the MASC out of a belief that a sustainable future was possible with collaboration and planning.
The coalition commits itself to fostering collaboration among units of government, institutional participants, educational entities, non-profit organizations, and business and industry. MASC has approximately 175 volunteer members and over 30 supporting businesses.
Over the past two years, MASC has published an annual indicator report, Prosperity Index for Muskegon County, to help evaluate the quality of life for the region. The index was developed to track progress and guide actions to assure that Muskegon County is a community that thrives.
The MASC also formed the Recycling Committee in 2007 to identify new opportunities for promoting and advancing recycling throughout the region. In 2008, the committee released the Recycling Baseline Study of Muskegon County, which quantifies recycling efforts, the current gaps in service, and potential linkages that may close those gaps. MASC has also developed Sustainability Principles, Vision 2020 Action Steps, and a Green Party/Meeting Planning Guide. Through these examples and more, the dedicated volunteers that compose the MASC are continuing to make Muskegon a community committed to the triple bottom line.
Find MASC online at www.muskegonasc.org and www.twitter.com/muskegonasc, or on Facebook, search for "Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition."