Sustainability refers to collaborative efforts that do not negatively impact the climate, local
environment, or society as a whole. For the most part, business sustainability is divided into two
categories: the influence of business on the environment and the impact of business on society. A
sensible business methodology's goal is to achieve a positive outcome in at least one of those areas.
When companies refuse to assume responsibility, the inverse might happen, resulting in concerns
such as natural degradation, imbalance, and societal humiliation. When making organizational
decisions, feasible organizations take into account a wide range of ecological, financial, and social
factors. These organizations monitor the impact of their operations to ensure that their short-term
gains do not turn into long-term liabilities.
Beyond assisting in the management of global issues, sustainability may also fuel company success.
Several financial supporters now use ecological, social, and management metrics to break down an
organization's moral impact and sustainability practices. Financial supporters consider factors such
as a company's carbon footprint, water usage, community development efforts, and board diversity.
Many successful organizations participate in controllable strategic strategies; yet, no two methods
are exactly the same. Every organization benefits from practical business approaches because they
connect to larger corporate goals and authoritative traits. The following are a few examples of what
business sustainability may look like.
-In the assembly interaction, using controllable materials
-Reducing ozone-depleting substance outflows by streamlining the inventory network
-Controlling offices with environmentally friendly power sources -Supporting educational assets for
youngsters in the neighborhood
Dell: The company's mission is to change people's lives through innovation, integration, and
sustainability. They use optional materials in things and packaging, prepare for end-of-life and
recyclability, focus on energy productivity improvements, and aim to reduce the energy force of
their items by 80% by 2020.
Dell is working to reduce ozone-depleting substance emissions by properly recycling (or recovering)
used hardware, procuring controllable materials, and forming partnerships with trusted vendors.
Dixie Cares is a paper cup provider. Dixie addressed sustainability in their industry by pointing out
that their products are legally sourced and the company receives professional advice regarding the
wood that's used for making their products. Dixie also follows sustainable forestry and are
responsibly sourced. The other sustainability practice that Dixie incorporates within their products is
that the company does not use any polystyrene foam which can be unsafe for humans
developmental systems. Because polystyrene foam is a public health hazard—it is bad for the
environment and our health (CEHN, 2022). Dixie makes a point to ensure their products do not
include this dangerous product. I do think that the business risks that Dixie points out as showing
their company is doing what's best for the environment and people is worth risk and it's worth it.
Our environment is taking on such a beating from human abuse with destroying forests for the use
of trees to a point where companies need to work against certain actions that are being taken to
show the community and their customers that they are committed to helping save our planet. Also,
cancer has been linked to many different hazardous products that are used to create cups, utensils,
plates an so on that its best to use an alternative that will eliminate these potential deadly risks for
humans.
L’Oréal is a beauty company. Their primary sustainability concerns inherent to their industry are
environmental due to biodegradability of products and waste and pollution of packaging. L’Oréal
addressed biodegradability in 2019 by developing new formulas for 46% of new or renovated
products, improving their environmental profile. 100% of product formulations were expected to
have an improved social or environmental profile by 2020. Also in 2019, L’Oréal addressed waste
and pollution of packaging by developing packaging with a lower environmental footprint. They
achieved this by replacing virgin materials with 13,204 tons of recycled materials. c
L’Oréal also made a priority of promoting the use of renewable raw materials that are sustainably
sourced or derived from green chemistry. As a result, “59% of L’Oréal’s raw materials (by volume)
are derived from renewable sources and are largely of plant origin. The Group uses approximately
1,600 raw materials from nearly 350 species of plants originating from around a hundred countries.
68% (by volume) of these renewable raw materials are derived from sources certified as
sustainable**.” (2020)
They also made note of other goals and achievements relating to:
Reducing the environmental footprint of formulas
Respecting biodiversity
Optimising packaging
Achieving zero deforestation
Reducing CO2 emissions
Reducing water consumption
Reducing waste
Assessing the footprint of product
Raising consumer awareness of sustainable consumption
Promoting access to employment and social inclusion
Joining forces with suppliers to meet the Group’s commitments
Putting employees at the centre of commitments
I do think that the business risks the organization is taking to prioritize their identified sustainable
operations are worthwhile from a business perspective. Although the costs may be high initially, it
can be cost saving in the long run. It can also propel the company’s status. Consumers are more
aware of sustainability concerns and prioritize shopping with conscious companies.
Let me first start out with my true New Englander response, I don’t understand the fascination with
Starbucks, I am a Dunkin’ girl all the way. c However, I am very impressed at the thoroughly Starbucks
has taken their efforts towards sustainable practices. It’s not just with their efforts in their stores,
but to look at the bigger picture and go after their top 2 ingredients beans and milk. To work with
their farmers and suppliers to not only hold them accountable to the Starbucks standard, but to
invest and teach as well.
Starbucks has truly embraced their efforts towards sustainable practices. They truly have the big
picture in mind, it’s just as much about the suppliers they do business with and not just their
employees. Realizing what they take from the planet and their effort to give back more. How do
they do this, by working towards cutting back their greenhouse emissions, their water usage, and
their waste by 50% each by the year 2030. By setting their goals, determining what areas can
improve, and how to adjust their business so their plans become reality. To date, they are already
making progress with an 11% decrease in carbon emissions, a 4% decrease in water usage, and 12%
decrease in waste at the end of 2020. While they do admit some of this was due to a decrease in
business due to the pandemic, still progress is progress.
Starbucks has made mention of reusable cups to cut down on their waste by 2030. Which is a
remarkable goal, however, the pandemic no doubt had an effect on that. Most local stores since the
beginning of the pandemic would not refill the reusable cups. c And this is where I think a partnership
between Starbucks and Dixie could be beneficial. c While Dixie admits that most of their cups are not
recyclable due to the coating inside the cup to prevent leaks. They also mention that some areas
may have the capability still to recycle them. c I think for the future a partnership between Starbucks
and Dixie could prove to be highly beneficial to each other. Why not invest in each other to find a
way to make a leakproof paper cup, or invest in recycling facilities so that they can be recycled? It
seems to be a direction that can be explored that would help each company towards their efforts of
sustainability.
Starbucks journey to Sustainable Dairy. Starbucks Journey to Sustainable Dairy. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 19, 2022, from https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-journey-to-
sustainable-dairy/
Starbucks Announces Coffee Specific Environmental Goals. Starbucks. 21 March 2021.
https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-announces-coffee-specific-environmental-
goals/
L'Oréal. (2020, January 23). L'Oréal group: Commitments & Responsibilities. L'Oréal. Retrieved
January 20, 2022, from https://www.loreal.com/en/commitments-and-responsibilities/
L’Oréal. (2020). L’Oréal, World Leader in Beauty: Makeup, cosmetics. 2019 PROGRESS REPORT-
L’Oréal. Retrieved January 20, 2022, from https://www.loreal.com/-/media/project/loreal/brand-
sites/corp/master/lcorp/documents-media/publications/sbwa/sbwa-2019-loreal-progress-
reportukraine.pdf
FAQs: Styrofoam. Children's Environmental Health Network. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2022, from
https://cehn.org/our-work/eco-healthy-child-care/ehcc-faqs/faqs-styrofoam/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2021/07/22/dell-technologies-shares-
environmental-sustainability-report-card/?sh=6ef94f1a7cae
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sustainability.asp
