I love the idea of corporate social responsibility and sustainability policies. Hell, even if they don’t stick to it – even putting it out there as important helps the national dialogue. Of course, I wish they did practice what they preach, and part of the reason I am going to grad school is to help figure out how companies can simultaneously become better global citizens and improve their bottom line. I truly don’t believe any change is really going to happen until we make it economically advantageous – and there are some great books written on the subject. Even just Wal-Mart’s new initiatives will really start having a tremendous impact on our environment. I was thrilled to have recently been asked to write a corporate responsibility and sustainability policy for my company, and it really got me thinking about what I really do in my personal life.
I try to be a good person, and “live green” but man oh man, do I fall short. In my head, and intellectually – I would probably be a locavore vegetarian, and only shop at the farmer’s market. Everything would be reused and recycled and I would get around town on my bike. In truth, I spend many a weekend at Stop&Shop buying imported food, and sometimes I even take long car rides, just to get out of town. I carry around a cloth bag – but don’t always remember to use it and while I recycle at home, I’m a lot more laissez-faire than I would like. Being a good, responsible steward of the Earth certainly can be done, even if you live in NYC. I am just lazy. Embarassingly lazy.
So, I wanted to come up with some stuff that I could point to and say “Okay, I can commit to these things. At the very least – this is what I can do.” Here is how I can promise that my actions demonstrate my thought process.
Personal Responsibility and Sustainability Policy
1. I will recycle in my own home
2. I will call up any unwanted magazines/vendors and ask to be removed from their mailing lists
3. I will not purchase any cosmetic items that have been tested on animals
4. When financially feasible, I will choose organic meats, produce and dairy
5. I will reduce my purchases of “individually wrapped” things
6. I will carry my handy reusable bags
7. I won’t litter – you’ll never catch me leaving things on the subway, or dropping gum-wrappers willy-nilly
8. I will drive courteously and responsibly – and keep my car in good working order to minimize environmental impact
9. I will be an active and informed voter in local and national elections
10. I will donate to responsible charities and participate in micro-loans
11. I am going to declare a few days of the week as “vegetarian only”
I am sure there are others, and this list isn’t limited to the only things I am willing to do – but it is stuff I am pretty comfortable declaring publicly that I can stick with. What’s not on here that should be? What’s on your list?
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Check out http://www.catalogchoice.org, which makes it easier to get removed from catalog mailing lists (in most cases).
And that’s awesome that your company asked you to write a sustainability policy for them!
This is so great!
I think this is an excellent list … However, some of your goals are a little vague (“I will be an active and informed voter”) and I often think it’s easier to stick to goals if they are very specific – and then you can have a more vague overarching mission statement as well.
For example, my new recycling goals are to keep a compost bag in my freezer and make A take it to the farmer’s market on his way to work and to reuse plastic ziplock bags (unless they contained meat).
Anyway, just a small thought. Overall, great!
also, how do you participate in micro-loans? I’m very interested …
I definitely agree that my goals are somewhat vague. I tried to avoid it, but the truth is – I don’t know much I can commit to some things. So, as long as I am always doing something, I am kind of okay with it.
As for microloans – I use http://www.kiva.org. It’s great! From their website – Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.
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