CMM – Archives • September 2013 • 21

Anytime we can reuse metals, chemicals, paper, wood and plastic rather than filing up landfills it is a step in the right direction. Recycling also reduces the amount of new raw materials we need to extract from the environment. Using resources more efficiently is always a step in the right direction. However, the biggest impact we can have on society, the environment and business profitability is the reduction in energy usage. This effects how we live and move, how we power our tools and travel. than make up for it. Lowering costs will improve your profit every time, and the technology efficiencies drive benefits for both people and the planet. New Technology Is The Answer Sometimes existing technology can make a huge difference and it just takes a creative business model. A great deal of resources have been di-rected to make electric car batteries that can travel hundreds of miles without the need to recharge because recharging is dif-ficult and time consuming. The goal of course with this technology is to cut down on emissions that are harmful to the environment. There are entrepreneurs however who are looking at ways to deliver battery exchanges for cars similar to the propane cylinders we have on our barbecue grills. When your battery is running low, simply exchange it as if you are refueling your car at any other fuel station, but with a new battery instead of gasoline. The idea is to deliver distance, not better batteries, and we are using current technol-ogy to achieve the benefit rather than wait-ing for technology to advance. We Need To Do More With Less No one ever wants to lose what they have, nor reduce their standard of living. But rest assured, our lives are not going to be more inconvenient or difficult because we make changes that benefit people, the planet and businesses. Innovation plays an important part in sus-tainability to make sure that the three P’s are all positive. Margins can improve with greater produc-tivity and the use of new resources means our environment only gets better. While many myths have grown around the concept of sustainability, it is important to see through them to find the real benefits and realize the potential value that sustain-able practices can bring. CM Sustainability Is Expensive Here lies the greatest myth and strongest fear when it comes to sustainability. In all honesty, there’s some truth to it, but only a small amount and definitely not in the long term. You may have to spend slightly more money at the outset for sustainable tech-nology — a more efficient furnace, better lighting, more fuel efficient vehicles, etc. — but the truth is that the savings will more What’s not to love about a better stand-on scrubber? ‘DANCING WITH SC1500’ AT YOUTUBE.COM With the largest capacity solution tank in its class, the Advance SC1500 stand-on scrubber lets you clean up to 3x longer with greater operator comfort and fewer dumps and reﬁ lls. And with powerful REV technology, it’s a superior daily scrubber that also lets you remove ﬂ oor ﬁ nish with water only. And at only 63 dB A, the SC1500 is the quietest stand-on scrubber, allowing daytime cleaning in noise-sensitive areas. Step up to the superior stand-on scrubber. Visit advance-us.com/sc1500 SEE IT IN ACTION A Nilﬁ sk-Advance Brand ©2013 Nilﬁ sk-Advance 800-850-5559 www.advance-us.com Smart cleaning. ™ FREE INFO: Reader Service 201 or CMMOnline.com/freeinfo www.cmmonline.com 21