What does it mean to be a sustainable business?
The organic movement has a different way of doing business
Our business decisions are directed by a basic respect for our interdependence on the land and its resources. Our understanding of a sustainable business is based on the Sustainable Business Network definition. One that integrates a good financial return with environmental management and social equity.
Our committments
- Organically grown food promotes good health and the long term care of our environment
- Environmentally friendly products are safe for you and safe for the environment
- Use sustainable materials wherever possible
- Reduce energy use and increase efficiency
- Reduce and recycle waste
- Support Fair Trade
- Social responsibility
The Sustainable Business Network
Sustainability is at the heart of our business and we support other Wellington businesses to achieve sustainability through our involvement with the Sustainable Business Network. In 2010 our Managing Director, Marion Wood, was on the Board of the Central Region Sustainable Business Network (and former Chair) and the Deputy Chair of the National Board. In 2004 Commonsense Organics won the National Sustainable Business Award for medium sized businesses.
Measuring sustainability
In 2010 we reported on the sustainability of our business using the Global Reporting Initiative.
Our greenhouse gas emissions were 35.33 tonnes, a 26% decrease from the year before ((47.8 tonnes). This is offset by paying the market price for 35.33 tonnes to the Voluntary Carbon Fund, which is being developed by the Carbon Partnership in collaboration with the Cawthorn Institute. The Fund provides a market instrument to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy. This means that Commonsense Organics is a carbon zero company.
Our goals are
- to achieve zero waste
- to minimize energy use
- to reduce our carbon emissions
Sustainability Reports
Every year Commonsense Organics carries out a sustainability report. In these reports we look at how we function as a business and where we can improve to become a more sustainable business.
You can read the full sustainability reports below.
- Sustainability Report 2008-2009 (PDF 393.76 KB)
- Sustainability Report 2010 (PDF 991.11 KB)
