Episode
83

Becoming a Sustainable Business – with Paul Rak

May 3, 2023
|
Duration:
2673684
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In This Episode:

Join David Arkell, Lysandra Naom, and Paul Rak, President and Owner of VeriForm Inc., on an episode all about becoming a sustainable business! This episode features why your business should be sustainable, the top 5 steps, major challenges, and more. Check out our 360 Carbon Excellence Program.

Highlights

  • Sustainability in Small Businesses: Paul explains that sustainability is not just for large companies; SMEs like VeriForm can achieve significant benefits through sustainable practices.
  • Employee Engagement in Sustainability: By involving employees in the sustainability process, VeriForm created a company culture that values environmental responsibility and innovation.
  • Cost-Saving through Practical Projects: VeriForm's projects, such as installing limit switches on bay doors to control heating, reduced natural gas bills significantly, proving sustainability can enhance profitability.
  • Benchmarking and Tracking: The company tracks energy and emissions data meticulously, allowing them to measure success and continually improve their sustainability efforts.
  • Continuous Improvement Approach: Paul encourages companies to treat sustainability as a continuous journey, building on small wins that lead to more impactful projects.

Key Insights

  • Financial Incentives for Sustainability: Paul highlights that sustainable changes, like energy-efficient lighting or HVAC systems, often result in immediate cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
  • Government and Policy Support: He advocates for better government policies, such as stricter efficiency standards for industrial equipment, to support businesses in becoming sustainable.
  • Role of Maintenance in Sustainability: Reduced maintenance costs can be an unexpected benefit of sustainable investments, as efficient equipment tends to require less frequent repairs.
  • Importance of Benchmarking Metrics: VeriForm’s approach involves tracking metrics like dollars per kilowatt-hour to gauge improvements, enabling the company to see tangible results from its sustainability efforts.
  • Inspiration for SMEs: Paul’s experiences demonstrate that small and medium enterprises can make substantial progress towards sustainability with relatively modest investments and strategic planning.
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Hosts:
David Arkell

David Arkell

President & CEO

360 Energy

John Pooley

John Pooley

Vice-President, Program Development

360 Energy

Lysandra Naom

Lysandra Naom

Project Manager

ENWIN Solutons

Paul Rak

Paul Rak

Industrial Properties Owner and Energy Manager

Crayfish Holdings Inc.

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