Sustainable Practices in the Business World

Sustainability and Mission Statements in the Business

World

Liz Guzie, Jenna Supplee, Hayley Mackay, Stori Mendoza, Mary Arnold, Kyla Dammann, Dessa Salavedra, Zach McKenna, Stefani Atkinson,

Garrett Melvin Haag, Alex Narath

BurgervilleMission Statement:"Burgerville continually looks for ways to deepen our commitment to Fresh, Local, Sustainable practices. We live this commitment through our partnerships with local businesses, farms and producers."

Burgerville Sustainability• Wind Power • Converting used cooking oil to biodiesel• Employee-led recycling and composting program• Community 

Portland State University

Sustainability Mission Statement:

"To serve as a leading academic laboratory for developing sustainable processes and practices using multi-disciplinary approaches in partnership with business, government, and other organizations."    

Portland State University's Sustainable Actions:

Sustainability Departments at Portland State:

1.Institute for Sustainable Solutions2.Campus Sustainability Office3.Sustainability Leadership Center4.Student Sustainability Leadership Council

Portland State University's Sustainable Actions:

Student Groups:

1.      Bicycle Advocacy Collective2.      Environmental Club3.      Engineers Without Boarders4.      Food for Thought Café5.      Mind, Body, Medicine6.      Net Impact7.      Pan American Solidarity Organization8.      PSU Permaculture Guild9.      PSU Cycling10.    Student Water Resource Group11.    PSU Recycles

Do you know what Portland State is

doing around campus 

to support sustainable living?

PSU: A Sustainable Campus

                "Take Back the Tap"                            "Green Screen"

                    Lincoln & Epler Hall Renovations                            "Salmon-Safe" Campus                         "Electric Avenue" 

                    REC Center               

.

GoodwillMission Statement   

"Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and           quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work."

GoodwillEnvironmental Impact

For nearly 110 years, Goodwill has been an:• Entrepreneurial leader• Environmental Pioneer• Social innovator of the reduce, reuse, repurpose practice.

Goodwill Goodwill as a Certified Green Business

• Certified in January 2011 through Montgomery County Green Business.

• Are one of 26 other businesses in Montgomery County who are certified.

• Certified with the help of the Eco-Coach, an environmental  sustainability advisory firm in Wash. D.C. as well as having a "green team" -- staff who helped their co-workers promote sustainable behaviors.

• It recognizes business who take the necessary steps to "protect, preserve, and improve the environment".

• Ex.) Goodwill diverts more than two billion pounds of clothes and household items that would normally go straight to the landfills by putting a value on these items.

• "Goodwill’s detailed sustainability policies govern business practices and operations in six categories..."

This number is constantly increasing on their website.

Goodwill International Member Services Center

• Goodwill office in Rockville, MD• Has energy efficient light• "Environmentally preferred purchasing policy"• Low flow toilets, urinals and aerators• Automated off hours, temperature controls and shades• Monthly staff trainings on "green" topics• Public transit and bike racks available• Biodegradable cups• "Green" certified soap and cleaning products• Double sided printing and soy, low-VOC ink

What do they have in common?• All three use biodegradable plates, cups and utensils. • Burgerville and PSU use alternative energy to power their

buildings.• All three try to keep customers, students and employees

informed about "green" practices.• PSU and Goodwill encourage bikes and public

transportation.• All three provide affordable health care for

employees/students.

ReferencesBurgerville Research    -http://www.burgerville.com/about-us/mission-culture/Portland State University Research

Portland State University Research    -http://pdx.edu/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/sus_epler_case_study.pdf        -http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/06/psu-gets-first-leed-platinum-for.html        -http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/news/salmon-safe-designation-celebrates-psus-commitment-sustainability                               -http://ecowiki.pdx.edu/student-groups

Goodwill Research        - www.goodwill.org/about-us/our-mission/

        - www.goodwill.org/about-us/environmental-impact/