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Oregon Business Association

Balanced Voice

December 4, 2008

An Answer to that Vexing Question: "What is Sustaibable Business?"

The concept of sustainability is so broad, that it often leaves people with even more questions than answers.  It has the ability to apply to social, ecological and even economic contexts.  In the business world, many people often wonder how a business can adopt sustainable values and practice them. 

Here are four of the many OBA members that demonstrate sustainability on a daily basis, and who show us just what sustainability means for Oregon business.

KEEN Footwear

KEEN Footwear is an active outdoor footwear company that remains committed to social and environmental causes.  Founded in 2003, the KEEN vision is to be an outdoor brand that delivers industry-changing, high-quality products for all outdoor enthusiasts, and to demonstrate integrity and leadership, especially on social and environmental commitments, while promoting a more inclusive outdoors community. 

Some examples of KEEN’s practice of sustainability include the establishment of Hybrid.Care that supports environmental and social causes, the practice of using 100% Hybrid boxes made entirely of recycled materials, shoes made from 100% Vegan materials and the production of products using manufacturing processes that are more earth-friendly.

Burgerville

Established in the 1960's, Burgerville has remained committed to the health of the region by supporting the use of fresh ingredients, local ranchers and farmers and sustainable business practices.  Burgerville’s burgers are made from pastured vegetarian-fed and antibiotic-free beef, while eggs are from cage-free hens that have never been treated with antibiotics. 

Burgerville also recycles used canola oil into biodiesel, has started an employee-led recycling program at its restaurants, purchases its renewable “clean” wind power from large-scale wind farms that are located throughout the region and also only purchases wind power from energy providers that are environmentally sensitive.

Sokol Blosser Winery

Sokol Blosser is a vineyard and winery that remains dedicated to both world class quality and a desire to achieve it sustainably.  Sokol Blosser uses 50% biodiesel in farm tractors, received USDA organic certification and has also been certified by Salmon-Safe as a vineyard that protects and restores salmon habitat. 

Unbleached paper products are used for labels, wine boxes and gift bags, and everything that can be recycled is recycled.  Sokol Blosser was also the first winery in the nation to receive the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the USGBC (United States Green Building Council).

Kettle Foods

Kettle Foods does its part to show how business can coexist in harmony with the environment through sustainable business practices.  Kettle Foods uses natural resources, recycling processes and renewable energy practices to reduce its environmental footprint.  For example, Kettle Foods uses its cooking oil twice by converting used oil into biodiesel for company cars. 

Kettle Foods uses both solar and wind power, and its improved packaging saves over 200,000 trees and prevents over 450,000 pounds of packaging from going into landfills each year.