Collaborating to Drive the Sustainable Revolution in South Carolina
The sustainable revolution isn’t just a talking point anymore. Businesses are shifting toward sustainability-driven practices and technologies in response to consumer and industry demands. The revolution for more environmentally friendly and sustainable products and services is here, and South Carolina’s future will be affected by the way businesses across the state use sustainable technologies.
With this revolution driving businesses today, Sustain SC is committed to bringing businesses together to build relationships and foster collaboration. Last year, Sustain SC commissioned a study that highlights the needed technologies to drive the sustainable revolution. These technologies include expanding infrastructure of the electric vehicle industry, renewable natural gas, solar energy, and landfill and organic waste innovations.
To bring businesses together to focus on driving the sustainable revolution in South Carolina, Sustain SC and the SC Competes led SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance hosted more than 50 attendees in June for a Sustainability Toolkit Workshop at the BMW Technical Training Center in Spartanburg.
According to Sustain SC CEO Leslie Skardon, the workshop promoted the intersection of environmental conservation and business practices. The program included four areas that align with Sustain SC’s accelerator focus:
Sustainability Maturity Assessment Tools
Water Quality Management
Energy Efficiencies in Production Environments
Capitalizing Toward a Circular Economy
The event highlighted potential funding opportunities for sustainability projects through the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Three Sustain SC member companies - ZF, Benore Logistics, and Rolls Royce Power Systems -- took advantage of the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance's free Sustainability Maturity Assessments. Experts visited each facility, evaluated sustainability practices and offered recommendations.
Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement
The Sustainability Toolkit Workshop is an example of industry collaboration with sustainability experts to tackle environmental challenges. By leveraging expert insights and funding opportunities, South Carolina companies are leading in sustainable business practices and driving the sustainable revolution forward.
“Sustain SC member companies are incorporating sustainability inside their organizations. Several of the companies hosted the experts at their facilities that same week for in-depth assessment work,” said Suzanne Dickerson, SC Competes Director of the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance.
A critical part of advancing the sustainable revolution in South Carolina will be creating more access to sustainable technology resources to help statewide economic growth.
“It was refreshing to see that contrary to common belief in other states of the U.S., there's a high interest in sustainability in South Carolina,” said Dr. Joshua Giltinan from the Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic.
While the free Fraunhofer Sustainability Maturity Assessments were offered nationwide, only South Carolina companies have taken advantage of them so far.
Sustain SC will continue to support economic opportunity that meets local sustainability goals.
