In a 2008 survey of international business executives, 57 percent agreed that the benefits of a corporate sustainability program outweigh the costs.
The “Doing Good: Business and the Sustainability Challenge” survey went on to say that companies that had effective programs were, on average, 16 percent more profitable than competitors and had a share price that averaged 45 percent higher.
Carlsbad-based Eco-Stream works with businesses and the communities that surround them to become more sustainable, which can be as simple as working on best practices or as complicated as developing full sustainability plans with annual reporting. The company is committed to sustainable resource conservation and waste reduction in the pursuit of zero waste.
“Sustainability is about much more than just the environment, it is also about economics and people,” said Barbara Hamilton, owner of Eco-Stream. “It examines our world as a whole system. If you understand sustainability, you can be one step ahead of the companies or communities with which you compete.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Hamilton to talk about Eco-Stream and its work providing consulting and advocacy services for businesses and communities.
CBJ: Why did you establish this company?
Hamilton: I started Eco-Stream in 2007 with the intent and desire to do something good, something that I am passionate about. There is an incredible amount of waste in our society. Did you know that for every one ton of municipal solid waste that is disposed, there are 72 tons of waste created during the production and distribution of goods and services? So today, with the convergence of movements that have come together to bring the concept of green to the forefront in our society, businesses need guidance.
CBJ: How did you become involved in the sustainability movement?
Hamilton: I believe it started with food. Good, fresh, local, organic foods. I became interested in sustainable farming. Through the process of educating myself on this subject, I began to see connections between the way we have industrialized our food production, the loss of small family farms and the degradation of our environment.
CBJ: What green practices do you incorporate into your work and home life?
Hamilton: The most important thing, and the most challenging for most of us, is to reduce consumption of energy, water and other natural resources. So that is always a consideration. Then, buying local, non-toxic and reusable and recycled products, as well as recycling and composting discards, and being involved in the community.
CBJ: What is Eco-Stream's mission?
Hamilton: Zero waste, the triple bottom line and, ultimately, sustainable communities. We need to stop wasting natural resources. We need to consider the consequences of our choices in regard to how they affect people, the planet and profits. And we need to work with our local governments to develop our communities going forward in a way that provides sustainable infrastructure and services.
CBJ: What is unique about Eco-Stream?
Hamilton: Looking at the big picture first, we empower businesses to compete and prosper in a more sustainable way while staying true to their mission and goals. My continued education in all areas of sustainability, and my experience as the chairperson of the Carlsbad Chamber's Green Business Certificate Task Force, has positioned Eco-Stream as a leader in developing sustainable business.
CBJ: Who are some of your clients and what services have you provided for them?
Hamilton: With Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Company, we conducted a zero waste assessment at their main brewing facility in order to look for ways to increase efficiencies and reduce waste in several categories. We are initiating our first restaurant greening program with one of the company-owned restaurants this year. Currently, I am working with Agri Service Inc. on public outreach and issues relating to organics management. Not many people in San Diego County even know it, but the contents of their green recycling bins are probably going to the landfill to cover it at the end of each day. When organic materials are composted and then reapplied to the soils, the benefits to the environment and the economy are well documented. When these same materials are put into a landfill, they produce methane gas, a greenhouse gas 72 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of Eco-Stream?
Hamilton: The thing that I am most excited about is that I see great and good changes ahead. I look forward to assisting more businesses in developing sustainability policies and plans, and setting up internal green teams in order to integrate sustainability into their day-to-day business operations.
Eco-Stream:
2335 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad
(760) 717-6627
www.eco-stream.com
The “Doing Good: Business and the Sustainability Challenge” survey went on to say that companies that had effective programs were, on average, 16 percent more profitable than competitors and had a share price that averaged 45 percent higher.
Carlsbad-based Eco-Stream works with businesses and the communities that surround them to become more sustainable, which can be as simple as working on best practices or as complicated as developing full sustainability plans with annual reporting. The company is committed to sustainable resource conservation and waste reduction in the pursuit of zero waste.
“Sustainability is about much more than just the environment, it is also about economics and people,” said Barbara Hamilton, owner of Eco-Stream. “It examines our world as a whole system. If you understand sustainability, you can be one step ahead of the companies or communities with which you compete.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Hamilton to talk about Eco-Stream and its work providing consulting and advocacy services for businesses and communities.
CBJ: Why did you establish this company?
Hamilton: I started Eco-Stream in 2007 with the intent and desire to do something good, something that I am passionate about. There is an incredible amount of waste in our society. Did you know that for every one ton of municipal solid waste that is disposed, there are 72 tons of waste created during the production and distribution of goods and services? So today, with the convergence of movements that have come together to bring the concept of green to the forefront in our society, businesses need guidance.
CBJ: How did you become involved in the sustainability movement?
Hamilton: I believe it started with food. Good, fresh, local, organic foods. I became interested in sustainable farming. Through the process of educating myself on this subject, I began to see connections between the way we have industrialized our food production, the loss of small family farms and the degradation of our environment.
CBJ: What green practices do you incorporate into your work and home life?
Hamilton: The most important thing, and the most challenging for most of us, is to reduce consumption of energy, water and other natural resources. So that is always a consideration. Then, buying local, non-toxic and reusable and recycled products, as well as recycling and composting discards, and being involved in the community.
CBJ: What is Eco-Stream's mission?
Hamilton: Zero waste, the triple bottom line and, ultimately, sustainable communities. We need to stop wasting natural resources. We need to consider the consequences of our choices in regard to how they affect people, the planet and profits. And we need to work with our local governments to develop our communities going forward in a way that provides sustainable infrastructure and services.
CBJ: What is unique about Eco-Stream?
Hamilton: Looking at the big picture first, we empower businesses to compete and prosper in a more sustainable way while staying true to their mission and goals. My continued education in all areas of sustainability, and my experience as the chairperson of the Carlsbad Chamber's Green Business Certificate Task Force, has positioned Eco-Stream as a leader in developing sustainable business.
CBJ: Who are some of your clients and what services have you provided for them?
Hamilton: With Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Company, we conducted a zero waste assessment at their main brewing facility in order to look for ways to increase efficiencies and reduce waste in several categories. We are initiating our first restaurant greening program with one of the company-owned restaurants this year. Currently, I am working with Agri Service Inc. on public outreach and issues relating to organics management. Not many people in San Diego County even know it, but the contents of their green recycling bins are probably going to the landfill to cover it at the end of each day. When organic materials are composted and then reapplied to the soils, the benefits to the environment and the economy are well documented. When these same materials are put into a landfill, they produce methane gas, a greenhouse gas 72 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of Eco-Stream?
Hamilton: The thing that I am most excited about is that I see great and good changes ahead. I look forward to assisting more businesses in developing sustainability policies and plans, and setting up internal green teams in order to integrate sustainability into their day-to-day business operations.
Eco-Stream:
2335 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad
(760) 717-6627
www.eco-stream.com