How SMEs can shape sustainable societies in a post-coronavirus era

To accelerate sustainable living and assist SMEs in making a shift towards sustainability, Mamoru and Zero Waste Japan co-organized the Sustainabili-Tea Talks from 25~27 May. The talks attracted participants interested in discovering how small businesses can introduce sustainability into their operations for a world that sorely needs it.

Some of the sustainability pioneers in Japan were invited as speakers, sharing their struggles and successes in various areas of interest. Themes included zero waste, partnerships, community movements and mindset shifts. The guest speakers also shared how they built their communities and implemented solutions unique to their businesses.

The six sessions in the three days covered the following:
Session 1: Driving Zero Waste and Sustainable Actions at Cafes/Restaurants
Session 2: How and Why Partnerships Can Help Businesses Shift to Sustainability
Session 3: How to engage our people & customers in driving sustainability
Session 4: Creating an ecosystem in implementing sustainability at coworking offices
Session 5: Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism for Expanding Businesses
Session 6: Starting Systemic Change from Communities

Zenbird covered the six sessions over the three days, and we will share some of the key insights that SMEs, and even individuals, took away.

Our role in a Circular Economy

And as we do, we want learn what roles businesses can play.

On the first day, participants were treated to an online tea ceremony by Mihoko Yasukawa from English Table Style Sado to launch the talks. It was more than just a show of tea making, however. Yasukawa explained the tiny details, from the purpose of the tools used, to the meaning behind the actions, to the philosophy that embodies the Way of Tea. Each had its individual meaning but also contributed to the whole of the craft.

It is a subtle way to remind us as we go through each session, (1) to look at the interconnectivity within the ecosystems of businesses and economies, not just the individual components, and (2) not just to swallow knowledge, but to absorb it in a deliberate and meaningful way.