The term “sustainability” embodies a number of different meanings. According to the Oxford English dictionary, one definition refers to the “avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.” But sustainability does not just solely relate to environmentalism. It is also often perceived as comprised of three interrelated pillars—society, environment, and economy—or in other representations: people, planet, and profit. This multipronged approach represents an understanding that, in addition to natural resources, society also needs social and economic resources, and we should consider all facets in the short term—meeting our own needs now and in the longer term—without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The food industry is one key sector where sustainability has a significant impact. But how do marketers and manufacturers incorporate all facets of sustainability as a business focus?