Is sustainability still a driver? Yes, according to the speakers at the Brands Talking Sustainability Luncheon at the SGIA Expo.
Listening to Yalmaz Siddiqui, Vice President Corporate Sustainability, MGM Resorts, Brian Hite, President, Image Options and Libra Balian, Sustainable Retail Consultant, it struck me both how far the industry has come in terms of sustainability efforts.
MGM Resorts not only works to achieve a more sustainable footprint through its facility operations, but also for its employees. MGM Resorts employees are challenged to make smart lifestyle choices to reduce environmental footprints, reaching far beyond the doors of their hotels.Image Options, a long standing SGP certified facility, proudly touts their sustainability successes, crediting the SGP program for keeping them on track.
And Balian has gone to great lengths, working with print facilities to incorporate sustainable business practices that reduce waste and benefit the organizations as well as their customers.
Those in attendance heard loud and clear what it takes to transform into a sustainable operation. The speakers emphasized that organizations should not pigeon hole the meaning of sustainability, as it encompasses everything from recyclable packaging, to water and air pollution, to responsible business and supply chain practices. 
Brands large and small — from startups to centuries-old stalwarts, from brick-and-mortar to online natives — have collectively come to recognize the market potential that sustainability represents, not just as a business imperative but also as a market requirement stemming from savvy consumers. In fact, a recent survey by Nielsen indicated that 81% of global consumers say it is extremely or very important for companies to implement programs to improve our overall environment. So, matter if you’re a consumer-facing manufacturer, retailer, media company or supplier, transparency rules the day.
What efforts are you making to be sustainable? Let SGIA know! Tell us about what you have done in 2018, and apply for the 2018 Sustainable Business Recognition Program.