Eco Friendly: Ecology Meets Economy

Sustainability is a word that gets used a lot, but it’s important to properly define how we are using it. In general, sustainability is the ability to continue an activity indefinitely. Environmental sustainability is defined as using environmental sciences to manage the rates of renewable resource harvest vs consumption; limit pollution creation vs natural sink potential; and slow non-renewable resource depletion; in a way that our behaviors can be continued indefinitely (Harich). An environmentally sustainable society would prioritize processing waste efficiently and promoting the regeneration of resources, just as a business would prioritize efficient use of equipment to lower costs and grow profits. Financial sustainability refers to an organization’s ability to achieve its goals and thrive over the long term. Economic sustainability refers to market’s and industry’s ability to use available resources in a way that is responsible, efficient, and beneficial in the long term. A broad view of long term priorities will show that these forms of sustainability align. To achieve a truly sustainable economy, we must move businesses towards environmentally sustainable practices