A sustainable business remains viable and community-based as it takes responsibility for its resources and relationships. Sustainable businesses attempt to maximize renewable and non-renewable resources and use them in ways that do not degrade the environment. Instead of just managing and disposing of wastes, many businesses are finding value in reframing and reclaiming their wastes as new resources. Waste heat, water, and biodegradable mass can be re-used within production processes or to meet other needs such as heating and cooling. Finding new ways to use waste materials on site as part of a closed-loop production process or participating in municipal solid waste composting initiatives can also reduce waste disposal costs and protect the environment.
Strong businesses depend on strong relationships.
Businesses that account for the origin of resources and destination of wastes are, in effect, affirming a relationship with habitats, ecosystems, cultures, and communities. Accordingly, sustainable businesses strengthen their interconnections with both the natural environment and their local community. By fostering communication between businesses, employers and employees, and producers and customers, everyone benefits. Such communication may produce innovative business networks and cooperatives, increased employee participation and loyalty, and customer satisfaction. Sustainable businesses use local resources of food, fuel, and fiber, for example, to add value and variety to products, strengthen a local economy, and reduce transport costs.