Since 1998, The Natural Step has been building its Walk the Talk (WTT) program with the lofty goal of making our operations and activities a manifestation of our mission. Initially the WTT program focused on assessing our impacts, which provided the foundation for envisioning and taking steps toward becoming a more sustainable enterprise that could serve as a model for others.

The primary objectives for the WTT program include:

• Providing an excellent, documentable case study of how The Natural Step's principles and approach can be implemented in a small service-based organization.
• Creating a knowledge bank of actions and resources that small businesses can utilize.
• Offering a forum for education for the The Natural Step team and building in-house capacity to apply our sustainability framework.
• Reducing costs.

Program participants include a core team of staff members from various program divisions including: Administration, Research, Human Resources, Development and Outreach. The team meets on a regular basis and is always seeking opportunities to integrate these efforts into the events, activities and operations of the organization.

One example of the WTT program integrates into our activities is in the planning and execution of The Natural Step's 2002 conference. We made efforts on every level to infuse the event with sustainability. Decisions about the location, program, sponsors, speakers, vendors, materials and activities were carefully made in order to express some aspect of sustainability. A comprehensive WTT report - which includes an extensive list of vendors and an eco-audit of the paper used in program materials - was assembled, distributed to all conference participants and posted on our web site. Click here to view a copy of the report.

Another example of integrating the WTT program into our operations is illustrated by measures taken during our office move in July 2002. At the beginning we established criteria such as finding an office space that was easily accessible by public transportation, had natural light and natural ventilation and was affordable. During renovations staff worked with a local, green architect and the property manager to make use of as many sustainable products and design opportunities as possible.

In light of some building code restrictions, we were able to do quite a lot such as:

• use non-toxic paint, 100% VOC (volatile organic compound) free
• build kitchen countertops from post-consumer recycled detergent and milk bottles
• install Marmoleum (biodegradable linoleum tile) for kitchen flooring
• design cabinets made entirely of wood scraps bound without plastic laminate
• purchase a new phone system and other used electronic items off ebay.com
• re-use all existing data wiring from previous tenant and recycle remaining scrap
• build modular workstations with used shower door desktops
• design and build living walls, as workstation dividers, mounted on wheels
• get all office furniture either donated, used or though an auction
• donate all unwanted items on craigslist.com such as moving boxes, old phone system, miscellaneous office equipment and supplies
• save roughly $26,000 (primarily through furniture costs and technology reuse)

After the move, The Natural Step hosted an office warming party and showcased a number of the sustainable steps taken. A WTT report on the office move is available here and details ten of the most inventive initiatives and products.

Currently, there is no specific funding for this program. However by using general operating funds to support these efforts and savings generated from eco-efficiency measures we are in fact working to further our mission.