Fortune 500 companies look toward sustainability at the LOHAS Forum

Ode's co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Jurriaan Kamp was fortunate enough to moderate a panel on Fortune 500 companies embracing sustainability at the annual LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Forum happening this week in Boulder, Colorado. The panel had representatives from Walmart, Coca Cola and the Mohawk group answering questions about the steps their companies are taking in the transition toward sustainability.

“We haven’t been sustainable for a long time, but we have a vision to be zero-waste. It’s a lofty vision, but it’s there.” said Candace Taylor, Walmart’s Director of Strategy and Sustainability.

Also in the panel were April Crow, Global Sustainable Packaging Manager for Coca Cola and Lewis Perkins, Director of Sustainable Strategies for the Mohawk Group.

The Colorado Daily News reported on this important topic in an article on LOHAS and the Fortune 500 panel, discussing the importance of big companies using sustainable business practices, and their effort to learn about and share eco-friendly efforts.

This is the first year that LOHAS has seen larger Fortune 500 companies present at the conference and eager to make changes for a sustainable future. According to the ColoradoDaily.com that picked up this story, Ted Ning, the LOHAS director for the past six years, commented that the increased interest by big corporations reflects a changing dynamic characterized by consumers demanding more environmentally aware businesses.

LOHAS represents a market segment focused on health and fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice. LOHAS companies practice "responsible capitalism" by providing goods and services using economic and environmentally sustainable business practices. LOHAS business owners and industry leaders from around the world meet each year at the LOHAS Conference to discuss industry trends, share ideas and learn how to run a successful LOHAS business.

Posted to Ode by Kate

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