Sustainability Solutions for Small Business and Small Nonprofits

This course focuses on practical skills that students can use in real-world situations to attain sustainability results. Small businesses and small nonprofits may serve different purposes but share many of the same sustainability challenges and potential solutions. The sustainability solutions learned in class can be applied to small businesses and small nonprofits. Students learn how to apply circular economics principles to carry out sustainability actions. Background information on sustainability is used to provide a clear understanding of climate change. The course covers the basic principles of a circular economy. Some examples of topics covered are small business and nonprofit emissions, comparing the cost of operating sustainable vehicles, opportunities to save money and lower emissions with sustainable lighting, lowering costs and gaining revenue with effective recycling programs, government sustainability assistance for small business and nonprofits, renewable energy, sustainable office materials, and sustainable supply chains. This course focuses on practices and products a small business or nonprofit can adopt to make changes to become more sustainable.