THE UST
SUSTAINABLE ADOPTION COMPANION
1
THE UST
SUSTAINABLE ADOPTION COMPANION ‘A Guide to Small Business in Savannah’
3
Intent This guide may be used to aid small businesses interested in adopting more sustainable practices. It is our hope that our design frameworks will help you to do so with purpose and meaning. We believe by sharing this information with you and others like you, your business can achieve a more sustainable oucome.
Context 1 Getting Started Who Are We?
2 Enjoy Your Journey! 2.1 Sustainability Green Procurement 2.2 The Framework 2.3 Flow Chart Navigation
3 Steps for Success Step 1: Fund Planning
4 Extra Help - Green Policy
Step 2: Ecological Footprint Fair Play Step 3: Living Wage Step 4: Life Cycle Assessment
4.1 Green Map Benefits 4.2 Self-Exploration Chart
5 References
Step 5: Communication Channels Step 6: Green Marketing Step 7: Validation Step 8: Self Accomplishment
7
Hello! 1 Getting Started
Who Are We?
We are a multi-cultural, international team of nine students joining the fight for sustainability in Savannah and the global community. In collaboration with Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Professor Scott Boylston’s Sustainable Practices in Design class, we spent ten weeks exploring the landscape of small business in Savannah through a rigorous process of ethnographic research and analysis.
Through our research—including numerous interviews with some key stakeholders—we discovered a set of compelling “insights”: • Thriving Through Sustainability • Gaining Support Through Personal Stories • Creating Mutual Benefits • Recognizing Problems and Evaluating Solutions • Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve a
We then hosted and facilitated a collaborative workshop session with some of the most highly engaged thought leaders of sustainability in Savannah. This guide is informed by such insights- the concerns and wishes of the stakeholders we interviewed. We intend for this guide to be used by anyone who is interested in adopting a more sustainable approach to their practice. We hope this companion inspires you to further your commitment to a more responsible future.
Brighter Future. 9
A Place to start
2 Enjoy Your Journey!
The Framework
The Perfect Place - This map was developed to help you navigate through your sustainable journey. There are two circles. The outer circle represents the macro perspective of your business, giving you (an overview of the categories) that are part of a sustainable business core. The inner circle (micro) specifies those macro categories.
Bef ore
Opportunity
Micro Cycle
1
Self Accomplishment
Funds Planning
1 Policy Transparency
Aft er
8
8
2 Your Business Resources
1
7
2
Validation
Ecological Footprint
7
2
Your Business
6
4 Green Process Awareness
3
6
3
Green Marketing
Living Wage
5
4
5
4
Communication Channels
Life Cycle Assessmente
Macro Cycle
Micro Cycle
3 Local Staff
5 Community Networking,
Connections & Partnerships
6 Promotional Launch g ri n Du
7 Mutual Benefits Rewards 8 Green Co-Creation
le
le
11 1. Fund Planning
1. Policy Transparency
Sustainability
2 Enjoy Your Journey!
Sustainability Green Procurement
Sustainability [sustain + ability]: a social, political and economic ideology rooted in the Triple Bottom Line principle of equally respecting People, Planet, Profit. Sustianists believe in protecting the natural environment and its resources for the purpose of creating long-term ecological balance. Moving towards Sustainability is also a social challenge that entails international and national law, urban planning and transport, local and individual lifestyles and ethical consumerism*
Green Procurement According to the Environmental Protection Department, Green Procurement is: “Purchasing products and services that cause minimal adverse environmental impacts. It incorporates human health and environmental concerns into the search for high quality products and services at competitive prices”*
Qualities of Green Procurement Products: • Improved recyclability, high recycled content, reduced packing and greater durability; • Greater energy efficiency; • Utilize clean technology and/or clean fuels; • Result in reduced water consumption; • Emit fewer irritating or toxic substances during installation or use; • Result in smaller production of toxic substances, or of less toxic substance, upon disposal.
13
YES
YES
NO
Do you use local resources in your business? (supply chain)
Do you understand how green policies work?
YES
NO
To learn more about it go to page 28
NO
Do you consider your business to be sustainable?
Go to page 12 to understand what sustainability is
Learn more about policies and how to use them on page 18
Congratultions! You took a step towards sustainability. Go to the next step!
Do you know what fair trade is?
YES NO
Please take a look at the page 26
Don’t worry! We can help! Go to page 32
Do you want to expand your networking?
YES
Learn how to on page 37
Congratultions! You are one step closer to become greener! Keep going!
NO
YES
NO
Do you have a circular economy process?
Take a look at the page 37 You might change your mind!
15
YES
Here is how to do it on page 36 NO
YES
Have you heard about mutual beneďŹ cal systems?
NO
Would you like to promote your business and contribute to the local community?
Congratultions! You are one step closer to become greener! Keep going!
You can learn about it on page 47 Check out some data about green businesses on page 44
Awesome choice! You may move forward!
YES
Go to page 54
YES
Welcome to the local green economy!
NO
You might be missing out! Please check page 52
YES
NO
Let’s nurture your business through co-creation?
Would you like to reconsider?
17
Why focus on small business?
3 Steps for Success
The opportunities for small business owners are more than encouraging. According to the Small Business Sustainability Report of 2013, owners of “microbusinesses” – businesses with 5 employees or fewer – represent roughly 88% of the business landscape in the United States.
Step 1 Fund Planning - Green Policy
This places small business with a fair percentage of the U.S economy, meaning they are vital for the future of the country.
proof in survey
“A green economy improves human well-being and reduces inequities over the long term, while not exposing future generations to significant environmental risks and ecological scarcities�
31% of survey respondents
(ICLEI September 2011)
an increase of 10% or more in sales of their green products and services after adopting green practices.
According to the Intuit 2020 Report, sustainability will become a competitive requirement for small businesswithin the next 10 years.
Step 1 • Fund Planning - Green Policy
why go or stay green?
reported that their products and services are more profitable than their non green offerings.
49% of survey respondents saw 79% of survey respondents
strongly agreed that offering green products and services gave their business a competitive advantage.
19
how you can start
how to start in savannah
We start with you. What is a small business company? What do they do? According to the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA), a U.S. small business is:
The City of Savannah provides a variety of services to new and existing business owners. Such services range from training and licensing to permitting and construction variances. Starting a business checklist one way to simplify the process and provides key information on your business’s first steps.
• Organized for profit. • Has a place of business in the U.S. • Operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor. • Is independently owned and operated. • Is not dominant in its field on a national level.
You can learn more at: www.savannahga.gov
Created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the nation. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more about their loans and grants program please check out SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.
Step 1 • Fund Planning - Green Policy
Small Business Administration
local small business funding • City of Savannah Direct Loan Program • City of Savannah Business Loan Guarantee Program • HUD Special Purpose Loan Program • Martin Luther King, Jr. Revolving Loan Program • Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) offers microloans up to $50,000, it also offers real estate loans up to $5,500,000. Adapted from: www.savannahga.gov & www.sbacsav.com
21
Ecological footprint
3 Steps for Success
Step 2 Ecological Footprint
The Ecological Footprint - a resource accounting tool that measures how much biologically productive land and sea is used by a given population or activity. About the Number - This number is then compared to how much land and sea is available. It is used widely as a management and communication tool by governments, businesses, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
Ecological Footprint accounts answer a specific research question: How much of the biological capacity of the planet is demanded by a given human activity or population? The Answer - the Ecological Footprint measures the amount of biologically productive land and water areaEcological an individual, a city, a country, a region, or all of humanity uses to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb the waste it generates with today’s technology and resources management practices.
Tips to reduce your ecological footprint: • Go digital with your documents
Step 2 • Ecological Footprint
Questions Answered...
• Pull that plug (chargers, gadgets, tv) • Be wise about waste • Work with like-minded companies • Slow the flow of junk mail
Footprint • Build your green office from the floor up
• Educate yourself You can use this link below to find out your current footprint: http://www.earthday.org/take-action/ footprint-calculator/.
23
INTERESTING FACT Depending on your business focus, you might want to consider earning a Carbon Trust Certificate. The Certificate - helps businesses and the public sector adopt more sustainable, low-carbon operational models by measuring and certifying the resource footprints of organizations, supply-chains, products and services against recognized international standards. Learn more about them at the following site: carbontrust.com/certification
Represents the amount of forest land that could sequester CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, excluding the fraction absorbed by the oceans which leads to acidification.
GLAZING
Represents the amount of grazing land used to raise livestock for meat, dairy, hide and wool products.
FOREST
Represents the amount of forest required to supply timber products, pulp and fuelwood.
FISHING GROUNDS
Calculated from the estimated primary production required to support the fish and seafood caught, based on catch data for marine and freshwater species.
CROPLAND
Represents the amount of cropland used to grow crops for food and fiber for human consumption as well as for animal feed, oil, crops and rubber.
BUILT-UP
Represents the amount of land covered by human infrastructure, including transportation, housing, industrial structures and reservoirs for hydropower.
Step 2 • Ecological Footprint
CARBON
25
MINIMUM VS LIVING WAGE
3 Steps for Success
Step 3 Living Wage
The minimum wage in the United States can no longer be considered a living wage. At $7.25, the federal minimum hasn’t kept up with the cost of living since the late 1960s, and there’s a growing movement among workers, policy analysts, state and city governments and even some employers to raise it. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25, approximately $15,080 a year, since 2009. Since each state has its own minimum wage rate, Georgia stipulated the basic rate per hour tobe $5.15, even lower than the federal wege.
1 Adult 1 Child
1 Adult 2 Children
1 Adult 3 Children
2 Adults (one working)
2 Adults (one working) 1 chiled
2 Adults (one working) 2 chiled
2 Adults (one working) 3 Children
2 Adults
2 Adults 1 Child
2 Adults 2 Children
2 Adults 3 Children
Living Wage
$10,53
$21,26
$25.07
$31.37
$17.23
$20.43
$22.97
$25.42
$8.61
$11.09
$13.86
$15.97
Poverty Wage
$5.00
$7.00
$9.00
$11.00
$7.00
9.00
$11.00
$13.00
$3.00
$4.00
$5.00
$6.00
Minimum Wage
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
$7.26
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
Step 3 • Living Wage
1 Adult
Hourly Wages
NOTE* The living wage shown is the hourly rate that an individual must earn to support their family, if they are the sole provider and are working full-time (40 hours per week). All values are per adult in a family unless otherwise noted. Adapted from http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/13051 27
Steps to consider: • Find out what the prevailing wage is for the position in your area. • Navigate to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook website at bls.gov. • Visit several job websites, such as monster.com or simplyhired.com.
Why is local staff important? By hiring local staff, you are able to sustain the local economy by providing opportunities for local workers to leverage their living wage. They are part of the local community and their ability to both understand and adapt to local needs could be an invaluable asset
• Check the websites of national companies in your area. • Contact other employers and competitors. • Review the current classified advertisements in the local newspaper. • Read trade journals that cover the industry.
Things to consider before you define your employee salary. In order to establish a fair wage you should take a couple of aspects into consideration:
2 Adults
2 Adults 1 Child
2 Adults 2 Children
2 Adults 3 Children
$10,835
$5,540
$6,898
$8,903
$10,835
$0
$0
$0
$5,420
$8,693
$11,966
$6,066
$6,130
$6,097
$4,853
$6,066
$6,130
$6,097
$8,700
$10,320
$10,320
$13,764
$8,700
$10,320
$10,320
$13,764
$11,553
$8,554
$9,859
$11,553
$11,037
$8,554
$9,859
$11,553
$11,037
$5,178
$3,916
$4,284
$5,178
$4,838
$3,916
$4,284
$5,178
$4,838
Required annual income after taxes
$19,294 $38,945 $45,927 $57,478
$31,564
$37,428
$42,085
$46,572
$31,564
$42,849
$50,778
$58,538
Annual taxes
$2,609
$7,771
$4,267
$5,060
$5,690
$6,297
$4,267
$5,793
$6,865
$7,914
Required annual $21,903 $44,211 $52,137 $65,249 income before taxes
$35,831
$42,489
$47,775
$52,869
$35,831
$48,642
$57,643
$66,452
2 Adults (one working) 1 child
$8,887
$5,540
$6,898
$8,903
$8,693
$11,996
$0
$0
$6,066
$6,130
$4,853
Housing
$7,092 $10,320 $10,320 $13,764
Transportaion
$4,697
$8,554
$9,859
Other
$2,253
$3,916
$4,284
1 Adult 1 Child
$3,022
$4,457
$6,704
$0
$5,420
Medical
$2,230
$6,287
Food
Child Care
$5,265
$6,209
Adapted from http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/13051
Step 3 • Living Wage
2 2 Adults Adults (one working) (one working) 3 Children 2 child
2 Adults (one working)
1 1 Adult Adult 3 2 Children Children
1 Adult
Annual Expenses
29
Life Cycle Assessmen
3 Steps for Success
Step 4 Life Cycle Assessment
The emergence of LCA Information ISO (1997) defines Life Cycle Assessment as “a method that evaluates the environmental aspects and potential impacts during the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction, to its production, use and disposal recycling.” The life cycle logic was first considered in the 1960’s and 1970’s to understand aspects of resource depletion and energy consumption, and later in the 1980’s to evaluate the impact of hazardous waste management (Svoboda 1995).
LCA provides a systematic and quantitative understanding of environmental consequences and human activities (Allen et al. 1997). Data collected through this process is typically grouped into broad impact categories such as global warming, acidification, eutrofication, and ozone depletion for reporting purposes.
avoid narrow outlook on environmental concerns by: • Compiling
an inventory of relevant energy and material inputs and environmental impacts.
Step 4 • Life Cycle Assessment
LCA Focus
• Evaluating
the potential impacts associated with identified inputs and outputs.
• Interpreting
the results to help make a more informed decision.
31
Transparency
Circular Economy
The disclosure of LCA information allows customers to have fairer comparisons of different products, facilitating product selection based on environmental performance in addition to product quality and price (Franki and Rubik 1999; Culaba and Purvis 1999; Krozer and Vis 1998; Allen et al. 1997). The ongoing development, standardization, and acceptance of life cycle assessment techniques creates credibility in the process and potentially reduces the number of competing messages.
A circular economy is one that is restorative and regenerative by design. It aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times; distinguishing between technical and biological cycles. As envisioned by its originators, a circular economy is a continuous positive development cycle that preserves and enhances natural capital, optimizes resource yields, and minimizes system risks by managing finite stocks and renewable flows. It works effectively at every scale.
mining/ materials manufacturing farming/ collection technical nutrients
Parts manufacturer Product manufacturer
cioshemic feedstock
restoration biosphere
recycles
Service provider
refurbish/ remanufacture reuse/redistribute
cascades
biogas
Step 4 • Life Cycle Assessment
biologic nutrients
maintenance aanerobic digestion/ feedstock extraction of biochemic feedstock
consumer
user
collection
collection
energy recovery
leakage to be minimized
landfill
Sourse: Ellen McArthur Foundation
33
Cradle to Cradle The Cradle to Cradle™ is both a concept and certification program. Developed by German chemist and visionary, Michael Braungart, together with American architect, Bill McDonough, it perceives the safe and productive processes of nature’s ‘biological metabolism’ as a model for developing a ‘technical metabolism’ flow of industrial materials. Product components can be designed for continuous recovery and reutilization as biological and technical nutrients within these metabolisms:
• Eliminate the concept of waste. Design products and materials with life cycles that are safe for human health and the environment and that can be reused perpetually through biological and technical metabolisms. Create and participate in systems to collect and recover the value of these materials following their use. • Power with renewable energy. “Use current solar income.” Maximize the use of renewable energy. • Respect human & natural systems. “Celebrate diversity.” Manage water use to maximize quality, promote healthy ecosystems and respect local impacts. Guide operations and stakeholder relationships using social responsibility.
Step 4 • Life Cycle Assessment
Learn more at www.c2ccertified.org/ 35
Significance
3 Steps for Success
Step 5 Communication Channels Contact List
Your story is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Using it to connect with others is one way to raise awareness about your business and the good intentions that drive it. Taking the time to discover and develop unique ways to share your stories is just as important as having something to share in the first place. Social Networking doesn’t have to be viewed as a drab necessity, but an opportunity to share the history of your business in a compelling way. It can be used to promote your partnerships and to develop your business outreach to the Savannah community.
Incubators
Hunter Cattle www.huntercattle.com (912) 823-2333
The Creative Coast www.thecreativecoast.org (912) 447-8457
Verdant Kitchen www.verdantkitchen.com (912) 349-2958
Jelinek Creative Spaces www.jelinekcreativespaces.com 912-234-2530
Plantonics www.trueearthllc.com Greenbridge Farms www.greenbridgefarm.com 912-667-1118
Step 5 • Communication Channels
Farming
Consulting Healthy Savannah www.healthysavannah.org
37
Retail Asi Tea www.yaupontea.com (912) 596 -1506 Southern Pine Resin www.jelinek.com (912) 234-2530
Salacia Salts www.salaciasalts.com Savannah Bee Company www.savannahbee.com (912) 233-7873
Forest and Fin www.forestandfin.com
Starlandia www.starlandiasupply.com (912) 417-4561
Nourish www.nourishsavannah.com (912) 232-3213
Perc Coffee www.perccoffee.com (912) 209-0025
Design
Well Fed www.wellfedsavannah.com (912) 662-5162
Gunn Meyerhoff Shay www.savannaharchitects.com (912) 232-1151
Connect Savannah www.connectsavannah.com (912) 231-0250
Symbiocity www.symbioscity.com (912) 484-2018
Step 5 • Communication Channels
Media
Savannah Morning News www.savannahnow.com (912) 236-9511
39
Local Government Visit Savannah www.visitsavannah.com (912) 644-6400
Savannah Chamber of Commerce www.savannahchamber.com (912) 644-6400
Metropolitan Planning Commission www.thempc.org (912) 651-1440
Savannah Economic Development Authority ww.seda.org (912) 447-8450
City of Savannah Sustainability www.savannahga.gov (912) 651-6926 City of Savannah Development www.savannahga.gov (912) 651-6510
Step 5 • Communication Channels
Dining & Catering Cha Bella www.cha-bella.com (912) 790-7888 Green Truck Pub www.greentruckpub.com (912) 234-5885 The Sentient Bean www.sentientbean.com (912) 232-4447 Thrive Catering www.cateringbythrive.com (912) 232-5922
41
Green marketing.
3 Steps for Success
According to Banerjee et al. (1995), for advertising to be considered within the “green” category it has to meet one or more of the following criteria: • Explicitly or implicitly address the relationship between a product/service and the biophysical environment. • Promote a green lifestyle with or without highlighting a product/service.
Step 6 Green Marketing
• Present a corporate image of environmental responsibility.
Although these criteria help as guidelines, they assume firms will communicate legitimate and truthful messages.
Beyond the self-regulatory activities of the National Advertising Division and the National Advertising Review Board, advertising in the U.S. is regulated by scores of laws adopted by all levels of government. On one hand, Life Cycle Assessment based messages provide more transparency and greater credibility, generating more favorable attitudes toward communications; on the other hand, messages are typically more complex requiring greater involvement from the consumer (see more information about LCA on step 4).
Green marketing requires a holistic approach, therefore one of the first challenges of effective green marketing is establishing credibility through a comprehensive plan.
Step 6 • Green Marketing
Green marketing.
Steps To Develop A Green Marketing Plan.
1 Green marketing has to be a businesswide effort. It does no good to advertise the green properties of a product if the company’s production and distribution entirely ignore environmental concerns. 2 Be honest; unsubstantiated claims should be avoided at all costs. 3 Be transparent; this helps build trust. 4 Products can be certified green by a third party (see Popular Green Certifications below). 43
Champions of sustainable business
Ben and Jerry’s was one of the first brands to make green values part of its mission statement. The ice cream promotes natural ingredients and business practices that promote the health of the earth. Its parent company, Unilever, which manages more than 400 brands, has halved its greenhouse emissions in the last 15 years, while producing products that are ecofriendly and using packaging that is either easily recyclable or biodegradable.
Method was created specifically to produce and market environmentally friendly household products, such as non-toxic cleaners and reusable household products. The company employs environmental chemists to evaluate their materials before including them in any product.
Patagonia has demonstrated their commitment to sustainability at every level of business, including environmental responsibility and safe working conditions with fair wages for workers. Patagonia also emphasizes the importance of reducing the adverse impact of their supply chain, both socially and environmentally.
45
Step 6 • Green Marketing
Tom’s Shoes was founded with the mission of “One for One” which assists developing countries by providing shoes to those in need. In addition to using recycled packaging and soy inks, Tom’s offers “shoes with sustainable and vegan materials including natural hemp, organic cotton, and/or recycled polyester”. Tom’s is also an active participant in various sustainability conferences to learn more about best practices and continue to increase their own understanding of sustainability.
Green Certifications There are many options for green certification— 400, at least—with some devoted to single qualities (made from recycled components, or being energy efficient) and others evaluating multiple attributes. The most intense certifications involve Life Cycle Assessments, which examine the methods and energy that goes into producing a product, the product itself, and the future consequences of the product (such as its length of use, and if it can be recycled).
certifications • Green Seal • Ecologo • MBDC Cradle to Cradle • SMART certification by MTS • USDA Organic—organic foods • Forest Stewardship Council - wood and paper products • Energy Star - energy efficiency • Green-e - renewable energy
“As more and more brands become sustainable, they lose the ability to use that for differentiation. In fact, some recent studies seem to indicate that as the number of sustainable brands in a category increases, brands that are not sustainable are
Social Investing Portfolios: Assets in Socially Responsible investingportfolios grew 32% from $2.3 trillion to $3.07 trillion over a 10-year period, while assets in investments overall grew 27%.
Step 6 • Green Marketing
Thoughts to consider
penalized more than the sustainable brands benefit. But there is a silver lining here. Most categories have not yet reached this stage. For brands that are willing to be daring, now is the time to gain the sustainable advantage—before it evaporates in their category.” Russ Meyers, Chief Strategy Officer, Landor Associates
extracted from Small Business Report 2013
47
Significance
3 Steps for Success
Green economies expand every year. In the last decade the organic food segment has grown by 238% while the overall food market only grew by 33%. From 2003-2011, the organic product market grew by 400% while the non-organic product market grew by only 33%.
Step 7 Validation
Use of renewable energy has grown by 456% while use of energy from nonrenewable sources has fallen 3.2%. The number of U.S. green certifications has grown by 180% since 2001.
Recognition
The USGBC, GA Savannah Branch Green Community Awards are an effort to recognize significant local achievements in green building, businesses and leadership in sustainability issues. Nominations are assessed by local green building officials and sustainable city and community leaders.
Awards and achievements will be celebrated and exhibited at the annual Green Gives Back event, a USGBC, GA Savannah Branch event that raises awareness and funds for a local cause to benefit from green building implementation.
Step 7 • Validation
There are also twice as many green associations for industries than there were in 2001. These associations and certifications also come with awards.
The 2015 Green Gives Back effort is in partnership with the High Performance Healthy Schools initiative and the project for Jacob G. Smith Elementary.
49
Enterprise Zones in Savannah The City of Savannah has also enacted new incentives for local businesses. The City of Savannah has established Enterprise Zones along several priority business corridors to encourage business investment and job creation within these areas. The Enterprise Zone program offers City of Savannah property tax abatement, graduated over a 10 year period, and other incentives for business investments that are located within a designated Enterprise Zone and meet one of the following requirements:
Job Creation Incentive– Create and maintain five new full-time equivalent jobs for the duration of the ten year graduated tax abatement period. Land Improvement Incentive – Invest in new residential construction or rehabilitation or other rehabilitation of an existing structure such that the value of the improvements exceeds the value of the land by a ratio of five to one according to the Chatham County Tax Assessor’s valuation.
The City of Savannah also maintains alternate new employer economic development rates for water and sewer services. Water tap-in, sewer tap-in, and other water and sewer connection fees may be waived for economic development purposes for qualifying large employers which make new connections to the water and sewer system.
51
Step 7 • Validation
The City of Savannah Economic Development Credit provides for a Business Tax Certificate Renewal reduction. The credit is offered to Savannah businesses that are located within targeted corridors or Enterprise Zones and hire at least two full-time equivalent employees (non-spouse or dependents).
Set + Reach 3 Steps for Success
Step 8 Achieve a Brighter Future
How should you approach setting and reaching your sustainability goals? Good sustainability goals are specific, measureable, and publicly stated. These goals must focus on what a company will do, not on what it has already done. Non-specific goals do not clearly define success and thus fail to equal sustainability goals. These goals should not simply measure efforts, they should measure results. By publicly stating these goals, your company is making its intent more transparent and accountable to your stakeholders.
Mutual Benefit
Goals must also have the support of senior level management. Goals that have the backing of the leadership set the tone for the entire practice of the company and lead to more success over time. The leaders of the company should also be leaders in sustainable practices and initiatives.
Why should you benefit the community and how can the community benefit you? Being an essential contributor to your community makes you more valuable to the overall system. It sets your business apart from competitors. It will help your business to build relationships with customers and builds morale among your employees.
Step 8 • Achieve a Brighter Future
All The Way Up
Businesses that intend to become a part of a community should seek to add as much to that community as they gain.
53
Green Map 4 Extra Help
Green Map Benefits
The Green Map is a snapshot of the green economy in Savannah. It is an evolving image of every sustainable venture, useful resource, and natural treasure available to the area. It is our hope that by creating this map, great minds will find one another and form connections and partnerships that can improve the condition of the region. The map is a tool to form networks to further the cause of sustainability in Savannah. The green map is a living document. New businesses and ventures will be added to the map over time as it grows.
Adapted from www.greenmap.org
55
4 Extra Help
Self-Exploration Chart
In order to keep track of your green business commitment we developed this Excel chart that can be used to measure your annual progress in a sustainable way. Here is an example of this chart:
Scale of green commitment SCALE OF GREEN COMMIMENT Light
Mid
Deep
Using Green Policies Carbon Footprint Fair Trade Salary Circular Economy Networking Green Marketing Green Reward System Sustainable Co-Creation 57
All you need to know 6
Big Green Opportunity. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.biggreenopportunity.org
How To Start a Green Business
References
City of Savannah Business Resource Directory. Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/ View/7033 Pacific Gas and Electric Company | Developing Your Green Policy. Retrieved March 07,2016 www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/b2b/ purchasing/supplierdiversity/gogreen/ Developing_Your_Green_Policy.pdf
Footprint Calculator
Articles
Ecological Footprint Quiz Earth Day Network. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.earthday.org/take-action/footprint-calculator
Chen, C. (2001). Design for the Environment: A Quality-Based Model for Green Product Development. Management Science, 47 (2), 250-263. www.jstor.org/stable/2661573
Footprint Savannah Recycling. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www. footprintsavannah.wordpress.com Sailing the Seas of Green - Trusted Clothes. (2016). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from www.trustedclothes.com/blog/2016/01/27/sailingthe-seas-of-green/
Molina-Murillo, S. and Smith, T. (2005). How Much Is Too Much? Exploring Life Cycle Assessment Information in Environmental Marketing Communications. Business & Professional Ethics Journal, 24 (1,2), 199-223. www.jstor.org/stable/27801379
Reducing Your Footprint. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.rprogress.org/ecological_footprint/ reducing_your_footprint.htm#businesses
Preston, F. (2012). A Global Redesign? Shaping the Circular Economy. Energy, Environment and Resource Governance, (2).
10 Green Business Practices that Reduce Your Footprint. (2008). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.ecopreneurist.com/2008/04/11/10-greenbusiness-practices-that-reduce-your-footprint/
Green Procurement | Environmental Protection Department. (n.d.). www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/green_ procure/green_procure.html 59
About Living Wage How to Pay a Fair Salary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/ pay-fair-salary-20373.html Can A Family Survive On The U.S. Minimum Wage? (WMT, COST) | Investopedia. (2015). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.investopedia.com/articles/personalfinance/022615/can-family-survive-us-minimumwage.asp Introduction to the living wage model. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, http://livingwage.mit.edu/pages/about Living Wage Calculation for Chatham County, Georgia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/13051 Wage and Hour Division (WHD). (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.dol.gov/whd/ minwage/america.htm#Georgia
Life Cycle Assessment US Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.epa.gov/ Perella, M. (2014). 10 things you need to know about the circular economy. Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.theguardian.com/ sustainable-business/10-things-need-to-knowcircular-economy
Loan Program City of Savannah Business Loan Guaranty Program | Small Business Assistance Corporation | The Business Loan Specialists. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.sbacsav.com/ loan-programs/city-of-savannah-sponsoredloan-programs/city-of-savannah-business-loanguaranty-program-2
Green Marketing
Green Certifications
Green Marketing | What is Green Marketing? (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.marketing-schools.org/types-of-marketing/ green-marketing.html
U.S. Green Building Council. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.usgbc.org/home
Moving toward a circular economy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/ sustainability-and-resource-productivity/ourinsights/moving-toward-a-circular-economy Closed Loop, Cradle to Cradle, Circular Economy & the New Naturephilia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.i-sis.org.uk/ closedLoopCircularEconomy.php Green Marketing Definition | Investopedia. (2010). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.investopedia.com/terms/g/green-marketing. asp#ixzz41tl1r0hi Big Green Opportunity. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://biggreenopportunity.org/
Guide to LEED Certification | U.S. Green Building Council. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.usgbc.org/cert-guide 2016 Sustainability Leadership Awards Dinner | March 4, 2016 | Seattle Yacht Club. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.sustainableseattle.org/programs/awards/ Sustainable Business Awards. (2015). Retrieved March 07, 2016, http://sustany.org/awards/ GSCA - Georgia Sustainable Community Alliance - Home. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, http://thegsca.org/ The Power of Giving Back: How Community Involvement Can Boost Your Bottom Line. (2013). Retrieved March 07, 2016, www.entrepreneur.com/article/226974
61
Reward Systems Employee Reward and Recognition Systems. (2016). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http:// www.inc.com/encyclopedia/employee-rewardand-recognition-systems.html How to set sustainability goals amidst change. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from https:// www.greenbiz.com/article/how-set-sustainabilitygoals-amidst-change How to Set Sustainability Goals: The Do’s and Don’ts. (2011). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://greeneconomypost.com/set-sustainabilitygoals-18531.htm Environmental Leader. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.environmentalleader. com/2010/12/09/setting-sustainability-goals-10golden-rules/
Six reasons to enter the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2016. (2015). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.theguardian.com/ sustainable-business/2015/nov/11/guardiansustainable-business-awards-2016-six-reasonsto-enter
63
Sustainable Practices in Design DMGT 740 - 01 Winter 2016 Prof. Scott Boylston
Huii Chuang huiichuang225@gmail.com
Carol MassĂĄ massakrol@gmail.com
Olesya Golub olesya.golub@yahoo.com
Andrew Moore andrew@andrewmooredesign. com
Megan Hopton mm.hopton@gmail.com Chatsuree Isariyasereekul ploichatsuree@gmail.com David LondoĂąo david.londono.brinez@gmailcom
Claire Partlow clairepartlow@gmail.com Alexis Roberts AalexisR@me.com
65
SCAD Sustainable Practices in Design DMGT 740 - 01 Winter 2016 Prof. Scott Boylston