If you've been anywhere near the news this past month, you've heard that the subprime housing market was not sustainable and that the lack of long-term consideration of resources has proven to be disastrous.

 

Sustainability is about having a long, large outlook - preserving our communities and resources for the generations to come and not compromising children's futures.

 

The significance of this long-range outlook for your business begins right now. A company's social responsibility is becoming more important to bright young professionals seeking a place to work and a community in which to raise their families. The marks of a sustainable city are all-encompassing:

• Access to transportation options
• Availability of housing options with a good mix of type and price located near services such as grocery stores, schools and parks.
• Dedication to minimizing waste, reducing energy and water usage, and improving water and air quality.
• Preservation of green spaces for parks.

 

Sioux Falls is already making good progress toward a green future. But we have a long way to go in the categories of recycling and energy and water conservation, to name a few.

 

Koch Hazard Architects and South Dakota State University recently hosted a conference called Plain Green to talk about just that. In case you missed the conference, here are some simple things you can do to live more sustainably:

 

• Appoint a green team at work. A focused team will ensure green initiatives are a priority. You can find presentations for getting started at www.plaingreen.org.
• Start indoors. Employees have chemical sensitivities to paints, carpets, sealants and other common materials, which can lead to absenteeism and sick building syndrome. Finish your building with healthy materials. Clean and maintain it with green products, and take steps to maximize natural day lighting and make sure your building is well-ventilated.
• Think beyond your property line. When planning for a new home or a large development, consider the impact of your project on the community.
• Recycle for your own benefit. Here's an economic incentive: Novak Sanitary Services launched a program that measures how much residents recycle and rewards them with points redeemable at merchants. RecycleBank hopes to expand to commercial customers.
• Get involved in the Sioux Falls Green Project. By now you've probably heard about this citywide initiative to encourage residents to lead greener lives. It's a simple thing that begins with small changes. Visit the Web site www.siouxfallsgreenproject.com to find a wide range of suggestions.