What are the Three Ps of Sustainability?
Here’s the thing most people get wrong about sustainability...
Typically, when I say Ellekin is a sustainable brand, most people think it’s eco-friendly, and that’s true, but it’s not the whole story.
Sustainability actually has three components: environmental, social, and financial, aka the three Ps of sustainability: people, planet, and profit.
“People” covers fair wages, safe working conditions, reasonable working hours, equitable treatment of employees and consumers, and many other social elements that go into the creation and marketing of a product.
“Planet” is that “eco-friendly” or “green” element most people think of when they hear the word “sustainable.” Examples include the use of more environmentally friendly packaging and lower impact materials, pollution reduction, responsible use and treatment of water, and elimination of harmful chemicals. Minimizing negative impacts on nature on reducing contributions to climate change are considered here.
Last but not least is “profit.” This is one people often don’t like to talk about when it comes to sustainable businesses, but it’s super important. Just like any other businesses, sustainable brands have to make good money to keep operating, especially if they’re paying their employees living wages, getting owners good return on investment, and implementing sustainable practices (which typically cost more money.) These sustainability-focused businesses have to be profitable be sustained long-term.
Good businesses have to stay in business to keep doing good.
