Sustainability Attributes
Intengine has developed this list from the most important and relevant social and environmental metrics and outcomes that consumers and businesses are concerned with today.
Environmental Attributes
Eco System & Environmental Conservation
100% sustainably-harvested materials such that the rate of use is no greater than the rate of regeneration
No toxic materials used
Prevents ecological destruction
Protects endangered habitats
Environmentally-responsible Agricultural Practices
Materials grown without use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizers
Materials grown with natural pest controls, organic fertilizers
Crops grown in rotation to break disease and pest cycles naturally
No GMO (genetically-modified organism) ingredients
Habitat Restoration & Species Preservation
Protects native species
Practices responsible conservation of traditionally-harvested species
Humane Animal Treatment
Humane treatment of farm animals raised for food and/or clothing
No animal ingredients
No animal testing
Locally Sourced
Locally-sourced/locally-made/locally-grown products
Lower energy use and more flavourful and healthier produce associated with shorter distances to transport these goods
Minimal Product Packaging/High Recyclable Content
Minimizes negative environmental impact while maintaining product integrity and shelf-life
Contains materials that can be recycled
Clear and well-understood labelling for customers/consumers:
- Amount of packaging used
- Type of packaging materials used
- Potential for packaging re-use/recycling
- Amount of recycled content
- Amount of biodegradable content
- How best to dispose of product and/or packaging after use
Renewable Energy/Clean Energy
Renewables make up 30% or more of required energy (Comparatively, approximately 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewable resources: 10% from traditional biomass, 3.4% from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables)
Low or no carbon emissions associated with production
Low or offset carbon or carbon-neutral shipping
Water Quality & Conservation
Reduces water loss
Increases water efficiency of fixtures, equipment, systems and processes
Educates about water efficiency to encourage water-saving behaviours
Re-uses onsite alternative water that would otherwise be discarded or discharged into the sewer
GHG Reduction & Climate Change Mitigation
Responding to climate change involves reducing and stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (“mitigation”) and/or adapting to the climate change already in the pipeline (“adaptation”).
Pollution Prevention
to eliminate the release of pollutants into the environment. It is regulated by various environmental agencies that establish limits for the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and land.
Recycle, Reuse, Repair & Remanufacture
reuse what you can, recycle what cannot be reused, repair what is broken, remanufacture what cannot be repaired, to extend the lifetime of products and contribute to the local economy.
Reduced Toxicity
products with reduced toxicity and less hazardous chemicals.
Low Energy and Resource Consumption
When you consume less power, you reduce the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth's natural resources and protect ecosystems from destruction.
Social Attributes
Improving the Community
Supports healthcare initiatives
Supports improved community infrastructure (e.g. water supply, child care, etc.)
Supports education and/or training
Supports or enhances local arts and culture
Conserves preservation of knowledge of local/traditional materials, techniques and production
Supports employee community involvement
Philanthropy
Improving the Human Condition
Fights poverty/supports local food programs
Employs/provides opportunities for marginalized and/or economically disadvantaged persons
Supports/provides employment or economic opportunities for women
Fair Trade & Fair Treatment
Fair Trade addresses better prices for smallholder farmers and workers in developing countries and reduces the injustices of conventional trade. Fair treatment of employees includes honouring their human rights, including their rights to privacy.
Diversity
when companies are open to hiring employees from all sorts of different backgrounds; regardless of race, religion and culture. When companies recruit and retain a diverse pool of people, it strengthens the benefits to the company and employees.
Food Security
to have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy population.
Gender Equality
to achieve broadly equal opportunities and outcomes for women and men.
Health & Wellness
an organization's ability to promote and maintain the physical and mental health of its employees, and reducing risks to employees' health and wellness through safe work practices, healthy work environments and responsible hosting of company events.
Indigenous/Aboriginal
helping to create employment and lifestyle opportunities for Indigenous/Aboriginal people, while respecting their cultural heritage.
Living Wage
to allow a worker to afford a basic but decent standard of living through employment without government subsidies.
Locally-Owned
a company which provides goods or services to a local population, most often used when referring to a locally-owned business.
Occupational Health & Safety
the duty and responsibility of an employer to make sure that their workplace is safe. OHS can help in reducing the illness, accidents and other situations making sure that your employees are healthy and safe to work.