1/21/10 - Challenges large companies face when shifting toward sustainability

Session by Suzy Mattay

Companies must be transparent. '''Sustainability is now the cost of entry to business. But...''' A company's true valuation of sustainable practices has to come from the top down. Be very creative to change systems. Walmart sucks. Starts with educating kids and then transfers to the next generation. Looking for companies locally that do the right thing.
 * Thanks to social media's growing influence, consumer opinion has a greater say in everything a company does.
 * This is a scary notion for most companies... when you claim to be sustainable, criticism soon follows. And no one can be perfect.
 * Every large company seems to have a POV on sustainability. But how much is greenwashing/pure marketing?
 * Undertaking a grand investment in sustainable options is a cost that many CEOs are reluctant to absorb. Rewards are far, far down the road.
 * People in a company who are vocal supporters of sustainability are often marginalized.
 * A company culture that promotes normalization of sustainable practices.
 * Intel gave their employees a sustainable incentive that was tied to their bonus checks. Too bad the employees didn't know how to redeem this incentive, or that it existed!
 * Regionally, different parts of the country have different needs to address (example: water scarcity in desert environments) and this is hard for a national company to deal with.
 * Simple things can make a difference: lightbulbs, timing lights-off, recycling, etc. But this takes analysis and investment.
 * People still think Walmart is a liar, despite the Product Sustainability Index and their work with suppliers/vendors to reduce packaging.
 * Walmart treats their workers like commodities, and until this changes, the mood within their stores and the public perception will not change.
 * Kids today are open and welcoming to sustainablilty and recycling. As the older generation is replaced by younger businesspeople, the social environment surrounding sustainability will change as well.
 * In the future, our resources will be even more depleted and sustainability will be even more of a priority. Unfortunate that only a small group of people are willing to address this now.
 * New Seasons is an example of a company that can't be 100% sustainable from a business perspective, but they label all their options andare open about their choice.
 * Next generation will call businesses on their claims.