Need a quick reference guide for how to get started with increasing the sustainability of your organic business? Oregon Tilth’s condensed Quick Start Guide series is designed to answer your big questions quickly, give examples and point to helpful tools to get started
Q U I C K S TA R T G U I D E :
Oregon Tilth’s Quick Start Guide series is designed to provide
all of the basics necessary to jump right in and get started on
certification-related actions immediately.
Oregon Tilth | (503) 378-0690 | www.tilth.org
I nc r eas e t h e Su stainability
of you r O r g a nic Business
As a certified organic business, you already have a leg up when it comes to sustainability. But what does
sustainability mean? What is sustainable about being an organic business, and how can you continue to
deepen your commitment to sustainability? This Quick Start Guide for Building a Sustainable Business is
intended to ask (and answer) big questions as well as provide you with resources and tools to use when
starting the process on your own.
Important
questions & guidelines:
The SFTA
declaration of
sustainability
Summary of
SFTA’s eleven
indicators of
sustainability
The
relationship
between
sustainability +
transparency
Quick Case
Studies
Additional
Resources
Let’s get started!
_ __
Oregon Tilth | (503) 378-0690 | www.tilth.org
Th e S F TA DECLA RATION
of Sustai n a b ility
As growers, processors, handlers, brokers, distributors
and retailers in the organic food trade, the SFTA
understands that many are deeply concerned about
the unprecedented scale and speed of environmental
pollution and degradation, climate change, and
depletion of natural and human resources that our
business practices may cause.
SFTA’s vision is to conduct our businesses in a way that
meets the needs of the present generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. Ecology, human communities and
economy are interwoven into a seamless net of causes
and effects. The intention of SFTA and sustainable
business models is to embrace the challenge to move
operations and actions toward sustainable models
where the management of resources, the direction
of investments, the orientation of development, and
the evolution of the organic food trade becomes
consistent with the principles of sustainability.
Food for Thought:
ASSESS AND EMBRACE SUSTAINABILITY
SYSTEMICALLY (NOT PIECEMEAL)
Several challenges can impede adoption of
sustainability as a system rather than as a one-off or
collection of unrelated parts. There must be buy-in
and commitment by management to sustainability
metrics integrated into all business and operational
decisions. Often a lack of time and budget are cited
as obstacles to achieving greater sustainability. The
main point is that an organic business should have
a sustainability plan and use that to help define and
measure progress in a systematic way. It is critical for
anyone developing a plan has significant resources
and support and education in order to create
something that works for them.
Perform a Quick Impact Assessment to Get a Baseline
Core Principles
SFTA is in pursuit of establishing a culture of sustainability
in organic food rooted in the following principles:
1
Reduce and
eventually eliminate
dependence on
substances extracted
from the earth’s crust,
such as heavy metals
and fossil fuels.
2
3
4
Reduce and
eventually eliminate
dependence on synthetic
and bio-accumulating toxic
substances produced by
humans, such as fossil-fuel
based plastics, synthetic
pesticides, growth
hormones and genetically
modified organisms.
Reduce and
eventually eliminate
dependence on
materials and processes
that degrade the
‘stocks’ and ‘flows’ of
‘natural capital’ such as
soil, air and water.
Reduce and
eventually eliminate
dependence on actions
that increase social and
economic inequity in
the way resources are
distributed.
S F TA’s Ele v e n (11)
In d icato r s o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y
The SFTA began the process of determining indicators in 2005, completing a comprehensive review
of the Global Reporting Initiative, US Environmental Protection Agency, Greenhouse Gas Protocol,
Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops and CDP. In addition, SFTA conducted research and stakeholder
reviews before going through prototypes, tests and a pilot program.
The Key Indicators are:
O r g anic + La nd Use
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Organic farming benefits soil health, water
resources, human and biotic communities.
Source food products and agriculturally
derived products from certified organic farms
and operators.
Example :
Abi li t y to ca lculat e perc e ntag e (%) o f l a nd fa r m e d o rg a ni ca l ly.
D i st r ibu tion + Sourcin g
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
The power of supply chain relationships can
influence great transformative savings around
transportation, local economy building and
new models for product distribution.
Improve energy efficiency, reduce energy
consumption, and reduce food-miles
whenever possible.
Example :
Abil ity to ca lc ulat e percentag e (% ) fu e l sav e d fro m so u rc i ng lo ca l ly.
S F TA’s Ele v e n (11)
In d icato r s o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y
Ene rgy Use
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Storage, processing and vending of products
requires use of energy resources, often
inefficient or non-renewable.
Utilize the most environmentally responsible
renewable energy opportunities whenever
possible and implement energy efficiency.
Example :
A b i li t y to ca lc u l at e p e rc e ntag e (% ) o f
en ergy c reat ed t h ro u g h r e ne wa b l e r eso u rc es .
Climate Change + Air Emissions
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Production, storage, processing, and retail
practices create greenhouse gas emissions.
Understand and measure the carbon footprint
of our operations and strive for achieving
carbon-neutrality.
Example :
A b i li t y to ca lc u l at e p e rc e ntag e (%)
of di rect a n d ind ir ect so u rc es o f G H G sav e d.
S F TA’s Ele v e n (11)
In d icato r s o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y
Wat er Use + Qua lity
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Businesses waste large amounts of water with
inefficiencies, a challenge in a time of water
stresses and scarcity.
Reduce use of fresh water and optimize
operations so that all water use is as efficient
as possible.
Example :
A b i li t y to ca lc u l at e p e rc e ntag e (% )
of wat er used in a p ro d u ct ag a inst t h e no r m .
So lid Waste Re duction
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Waste of material means additional stress
from accessing energy and natural resources
where reuse and recycling might eliminate
such inefficiency and reduce cost.
Eliminate waste so all unused or “wasted”
material becomes the raw material for new
products and uses.
Example :
A b i li t y to ca lc u l at e p e rc e ntag e (% )
of wast e d i v e rt e d fro m l a nd fi l l .
S F TA’s Ele v e n (11)
In d icato r s o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y
Packaging + Marketing Materials
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Packaging introduces an unsustainable
byproduct into the waste stream on multiple
parts of the supply chain system.
Reduce reliance on packaging as well as
implement systems for reuse and recycling, in
addition eliminating packaging from suppliers
whenever possible.
Example :
A b i li t y to ca lc u l at e p e rc e ntag e o f
mat eri a ls t h at a re recyc l e d, r e u s e d o r fro m r e ne wa b l e so u rc es .
L a bor
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Communities, which protect and work the
land or have a hand in production of our food
from field to facility, are particularly vulnerable
and must be treated fairly.
Develop and implement company policies,
procedures, training and internal reporting
structures to ensure commitment to good
labor practices throughout the organization.
Example :
A b i li t y to p rov id e b e ne fi t s o r e ns u r e
use of Fa i r T ra d e p ro d u ct s wh e n ava il a b l e .
S F TA’s Ele v e n (11)
In d icato r s o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y
Anima l Ca re
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Animal welfare not only ensures the safety,
health and comfort of farm animals but also
will create a system of care and attention that
honors the whole operation.
Develop practices that provide protection and
access to resources that promote the welfare
of animals in a production.
Example :
C reat i n g i nt e r na l sta nda r d s h e l p s
to syst emat i z e p ract i c es fo r a ni m a l we l fa r e .
Sustainability Education
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Educating consumers, partners, suppliers and
others not only markets your sustainability
efforts but also increases awareness around
issues within your business and industry.
Provide audiences accurate, useful
and timely information about all of the
sustainability areas.
Example :
Prov i d ing e m p loy e e t ra ining
i n creases awa re nes s i nt e r na l ly a nd e x t e r na l ly.
S F TA’s Ele v e n (11)
In d icato r s o f S u s ta i n a b i l i t y
G ov ernance + Communit y
Engage ment
Significance
Measuring what Mat ters
Creates an open channel of discussion to
build positive relationships within business
communities, supporting each other to
“do good”.
Review progress through self-audits and
reporting on metrics to refine programs that
can increase quality of life for people.
Example :
A b i li t y to d o nat e t im e a nd r eso u rc es
to comm un it y s u sta i na b il it y e ffo rt s .
Food for Thought:
MEASURE WHAT MATTERS (AND FORGET ABOUT WHAT DOESN’T)
Sustainability does not look the same from one business to the next, making it challenging to see
achievements and success. Only one question should influence the development of indicators and
metrics: what should my business measure so we can have maximum impact? SFTA’s metrics provide
the needed structure for organic food companies to begin assessing their sustainability performance.
A company can adopt and tailor the metrics knowing that they are measuring and reporting the
same key sustainability performance metrics as industry peers, but also personalizing numbers for the
uniqueness of their own operation.
View the Metrics Report Template
Q uic k Case S t u d ies
CAS E ST U DY 1 :
St rau s Family Creamery
Alternative (Closed Loop) Energy Source
Straus Family Creamery makes enough electricity from the
manure from its own cows to power the entire dairy and
to feed some electricity back into the grid. They invested
in development and implementation of methane digester,
which turns methane gas into electricity.
prevention of methane gas from entering the atmosphere
(“a greenhouse gas that is 23 times more detrimental than
carbon dioxide”), the business shows a net economic
savings on electricity of $40,000+ annually after just 4-5
years of initial investment.
Straus is addressing multiple indicators – Climate Change,
Energy Use, Sustainability Education, Organic and
Land Use – through its renewable energy. In addition to
View Straus Family Creamery Sustainability Report
CAS E ST U DY 2:
Hu mmin g bird Wholesale
Reducing Waste Throughout Production
Hummingbird Wholesale utilizes a signature return policy
for their products packaged and delivered in glass and
plastic containers. Bulk materials are delivered in reusable
food grade deposit return containers. In addition, the
business practices a zero waste policy, working to improve
packaging as well as always striving for reusable models
whenever possible.
Hummingbird addresses multiple indicators – Packaging,
Waste Reduction, Distribution and Sourcing – with its
aggressive measures to focus on reuse and recycling.
Currently, they have an 83% return rate for reusable glass
and plastic containers, keeping roughly 18,000 pounds of
plastic from going into the landfill annually. With this and
other measures, Hummingbird estimates its overall landfill
waste contributions to be less than 650 pounds per year,
which is 1,000 pounds less than the average American
individual.
View Hummingbird Wholesale Sustainability Report
CASE ST U DY 3:
E a r l’s Organic P roduce
Training and Education of Staff
Earl’s Organic Produce already had 15% of employees (~70
total) participating in their Sustainability Action Committee.
Through their employee sustainability training program
and ongoing sustainability trainings, the organization is
committed to making sustainability an integral piece of
each employee’s job description.
Earl’s addresses multiple indicators – Governance and
Sustainability Education – by working to increase 100% of
employees through a new internal governance approach.
View Earl’s Organic Produce Sustainability Report
The Relationship Between
Sustainability & Transparency
In order to create trust between you and your
audiences – consumers, partners, suppliers, etc.
– you must do more than trumpet sustainability
as a goal or core ethic. Sharing your sustainability
journey not only validates for others the
investments and commitments you are making,
but also opens up a discussion for additional
problem-solving around challenges or obstacles.
Six Elements of Transparency
Issuing a “sustainability report” – in whatever
format and shape that makes sense for you – not
only shares with internal and external audiences
your progress, but also demonstrates areas that
need improvement. Such reports can also help
educate or promote activity around issues that
seem insurmountable at the time (e.g., distribution
reliance on fossil fuels or packaging that fulfills
sustainability and food safety requirements).
3. Right format: Not too many folks want to read a
158-paged PDF about responsible mining. Using a
mosaic of format options – social media, infographics,
apps, conference events – is going to form a highresolution image of effective transparency.
Transparency can show the full picture. For
instance, while overall energy consumption
might rise with the addition of a new product or
process, a decrease in the average energy used
per product can demonstrate the performance
of mitigation strategies. It allows you to share a
story that chronicles how far you’ve come, but
also recognizes a commitment to how far you still
want to go.
Additional Resources:
(Fro M SO urce : SustainAbil ity )
1. Right information: Use clear data of “what matters”
to give the right kinds of information needed to
contribute to better outcomes.
2. Right stakeholders: Reach the stakeholders who can
use data to make better decisions
4. Right time: Successful transparency efforts should be
timed in such a way that they enable stakeholders to
act in order to improve possible outcomes.
5. Right frequency: Similar to format, this means providing
stakeholders with effective systems and safeguards
to find and share data, to create a sort of constant
leaching of information that is effective and infectious.
6. Right intentions: This is potentially the nut of the thing
it refers to being genuine about why information is
being made available. Be sure to review what might
yield more meaningful, opportunity-laden ways to use
your resources put towards transparency.
• Establishing a Baseline: http://www.sustainablefoodtrade.org/measure-what-matters/
• Sustainability Systems Framework: http://www.thenaturalstep.org/
• Sustainable Packaging: http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/
• Sustainability Software: http://www.sofi-software.com/america/applications/sustainability-reporting
• Waste Reduction and Zero Waste Certification: https://www.uszwbc.org/
• Relational Reality by Charlene Spretnak: http://www.charlenespretnak.com/relational_reality_116771.htm
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