For their final projects in the Spring 2009 semester of Management 4385, Sustainable Business, groups of students conducted research into sustainable business practices, forming a blueprint for organizations that want to improve the world starting in their own backyards.

Students focused on a number of improvement areas, finding ways for organizations to improve energy efficiency, join groups for like-minded businesses, and save money while utilizing sustainable products. Projects included:

• Energy Efficiency Funding Opportunities – Many businesses are eager to implement energy saving measures but need financial assistance in funding the initiatives. Students identified 29 funding sources that included loans, grants, tax credits, tax deductions, and free energy assessments.
• Sustainable Business Networks – Students studied 22 nonprofit organizations around the country and found that they are commonly named sustainable business networks and sustainable business alliances. The organizations are membership-based and provide a variety of services, such as speakers bureaus, social events, professional mentoring and support for local sustainable and green businesses, green business certification programs, “Local First” shopping campaigns, and presentations, clinics, and workshops on sustainable business practices. The students’ research serves as the foundation for the creation of the Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas (www.sbnca.org), a nonprofit membership-based organization expected to be launched this summer to support the growing sustainable business community of central Arkansas.
• UALR College of Business Paper Project – Students identified ways the University could become more “green” and environmentally-friendly in printing practices and paper purchases while also saving money. The research study examined several options to reduce the environmental impact of the College of Business’ printing practices.

  After considering several options and combinations of options, the students ultimately recommended that the college switch to 30 percent recycled paper, change default printer margins on all college computers, install printer management software on all college computers, change default settings on all printers and copiers to duplex (double-sided copies), and install EcoFont on all computers and set it as the default font.

  The combined impact of these recommendations implemented in unison would reduce the college’s paper and ink purchases and result in a 39 percent cost savings over current methods; require the purchase of 151 cases of paper (instead of the current 251 cases) and 26 laser ink cartridges and toner (instead of the current 30 cartridges). The environmental benefits of implementing these recommendations would be 87.3 trees saved, 11.3 tons of wood saved, 16,659 pounds of CO2 emissions prevented, 57,753.6 gallons of water saved, 33,449.9 kilowatts of electricity saved, and 6,985.7 pounds of solid waste prevented.

For more information on the Sustainable Business course, contact Dr. Nancy Landrum.