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Simply Sustainable business model

The Simply Sustainable business model illustrates an evolution in the business cycle. To begin with natural resources are used by Suppliers and turned into products. As part of this manufacturing process waste is generated and put into the Environment.

These products are purchased as Resources by Businesses who use them to create Goods and Services, which are then sold to Customers. Businesses generate waste in their processes and customers too put their waste into the environment.

At this point the model changes. It now shows the customer completing the cycle back to the supplier. By sending Recyclables back to suppliers, material is reused to make new products - meaning the supplier takes fewer natural resources.

Suppliers and businesses then take further steps towards becoming sustainable by examining their Strategy, Processes, People and Capital. Developing sustainable and efficient business practices improves efficiency even further.

Businesses can become more sustainable by choosing more sustainable suppliers, and also by looking at their Strategy, Processes, People and Capital. Their waste going into the environment will also reduce.

The model then places this business cycle in the wider context of Society. In this broader context, businesses interact with Shareholders, the Community and Government to further develop sustainability.

Click through the links in the text to discover exactly how your business can benefit from sustainability.

You can also view an animation of the Simply Sustainable (requires Flash) or a static version of the Simply Sustainable model .