3rd October
Learning Lab
Vincent Heeringa, Sustainable Business Network and ‘The Climate Business’ podcast
Felicity Johnson, Senior Waste Planning Advisor at Auckland Council
A show of hands revealed that this Learning Lab’s attendees were either starting on the sustainability journey or a few steps down the line. In other words, everyone was keen to learn how they could be doing more to improve their business’ sustainability actions and strategies.
Using a relatable (but fictional) case study of an entrepreneurial SME, Vincent talked about the “new phenomenon” of requiring sustainability and resilience in business. Policies such as transparency within supply chain management are now expected, especially by younger customers.
Victor referenced the 3 Ps of sustainability (people, profit, planet) and explained that businesses need to transition from siloed thinking to an integrated approach. He described the principles of a circular economy, why this is often illustrated as the infinity symbol, and how it can benefit everyone involved.
There are some excellent free resources on the SBN website, including the Challenge Hub, which connects businesses to help solve their sustainability problems. For example, a manufacturing by-product that would otherwise go to landfill may be of use to another company.
What does your business want and need to achieve with its sustainability strategy, and why? Yes, this could be huge, but getting stressed isn’t helpful! Focus on small, consistent steps. “Set your own North Star and then use the tools available to get there.”
Check out SBN’s tools and resources at sustainable.org.nz/learn/tools-resources
Felicity Johnson shared loads of valuable insights and tips about reusing, repurposing, and recycling, speaking to attendees both as Auckland residents and business owners.
She encouraged everyone to get more involved with their local Community Recycling Centre (aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/Pages/community-recycling-centres.aspx) and for consumers to challenge their “right to repair”. This means pushing manufacturers about spares and parts so that, for example, an appliance doesn’t have to be scrapped simply because these aren’t easily available.
Felicity offered advice to businesses that are considering sponsoring an event: ask them about their sustainability and waste plan. And then, if the event asks you to sponsor for a second year, ask them for their previous waste report and how they’ll make further improvements.
Get back uniforms when staff leave. These can be repaired and reused internally or passed to a third party (like All Heart NZ) to be unbranded.
She also offered some advice about how to help bring employees along on the process, integrating sustainability into an organisation’s BAU (“business as usual”), like incorporating it into health and safety meetings and tacking it on to regular toolbox talks.
And remember that your business’ sustainability efforts don’t have to be (indeed, shouldn’t be) done in isolation. So, when you go to market, don’t be shy about asking potential suppliers for their eco-solutions.
For more about how Auckland Council can help your business on its sustainability journey, go to aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/sustainability-eco-design/Pages/get-sustainability-advice-for-your-business.aspx
BNH is a keen champion of sustainability for itself and its members.
Visit businessnh.org.nz/greener-business and businessnh.org.nz/business-sustainability to find out more.
