Businesses are realizing something that Your True Nature has known for quite some time.   Long term profitability is directly tied to how well companies manage resources.  This includes waste management and careful use of resources needed to do business.  Sustainable practices are no longer seen as just being environmentally friendly or socially responsible in order to create positive public relations.  Careful use of resources is key to long term success of any business in today’s market.  As you ponder your business growth and make plans for 2008, consider looking into programs and partnerships to help support you in your efforts to better manage resources, develop greener production processes, dispose of waste more efficiently, and create less waste in the first place.  Resources are available through a variety of programs for virtually every sector to help businesses better understand environmental issues and how to lessen the negative impact on the environment.  For example, by understanding the true cost of their waste, businesses can begin to see how environmentally sound practices ultimately improve the bottom line.  Innovation with regard to sustainable business practices is key to long term sustainable profitability.  One thing to keep in mind is that it is imperative to be honest about your green efforts.  The process of going green needs to be taken seriously but done with integrity.  So how to get started?  Where to begin?  Network with other similar businesses to find out what they are doing.  Go online and do some research.  Check out your city and federal government for incentives and ideas to improve your green practices.  Bring your employees into the conversation to engage them in the new processes as well.  Hire employees who share your values related to sustainable practices so you can benefit from their ideas and commitment to the environment. Your True Nature partners with several different organizations in our own efforts towards sustainability.  Check out details on our website or in previous articles on this blog.  One example is our partnership with the 100% ReplantedProgram.  This organization helps businesses calculate how many trees would need to be planted every year to off-set the amount of paper products used in the course of doing business.  It is all a part of Your True Nature’s commitment to reduce, re-use, recycle, and REPLANT!  To date we have planted over 50,000 trees.  Amazing!  Tree-Mendous.  I would love to hear what other organizations are doing to protect their resources and create sustainable profitability.   Please comment here and share your ideas with our readers.  In the meantime, I am off to find new ways to lessen my impact and improve my green practices.