About

Vision

Maine Businesses for Sustainability Members are leaders improving performance and profits through better business practices, community engagement and environmental awareness. Mission Maine Businesses for Sustainability provides Maine businesses with tools and opportunities for positive change and improved performance while enhancing the social and environmental well being of Maine communities.

Values

Maine Businesses for Sustainability values ACTION to improve the economic, social, and environmental performance of its members.

Value Proposition

Maine Businesses for Sustainability provides resources to improve business performance, building a more prosperous Maine. Members receive useful business tools and methods, connections, education and inspiration in exchange for their participation and membership dues. Members’ families and employees enjoy the benefits of a successful and sustainable future for the Maine community and environment. __________________________________________________________________________

History

Maine Businesses for Sustainability, formerly Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility (MEBSR), was founded in 1993 by a small group of dynamic Maine businesses, including Tom’s of Maine, Moss, and Ducktrap River Farms. These pioneering entrepreneurs believed that focusing solely on the financial bottom line was a short-sighted business strategy. The initial founders of MEBSR believed without incorporating social and environmental goals into the bottom line, a business could not achieve its greatest potential - for its employees, its consumers, its owners and its community.

The socially responsible business movement started to take shape in the 1980’s with the commencement of New England Businesses for Social Responsibility (NEBSR). State chapters were formed, which then splintered off to become independent organizations, including Maine (MEBSR) and Vermont (VBSR). In 1992, a group from NEBSR founded the national organization Businesses for Social Responsibility (BSR). BSR discontinued its chapter affiliations in 1994 and now concentrates on serving large multinationals at the corporate level.

MEBRS, VBSR and NHBSR (New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility) continue to thrive in New England. In 2009, MEBSR decided to change its management structure, update its programs and change its name to Maine Businesses for Sustainability. The new name is reflective of a more general shift away from the term ‘social responsibility’ and toward the term ‘sustainability’. We believe Maine Businesses for Sustainability more accurately represents the organization’s values and mission.

Today, Maine Businesses for Sustainability is growing and expanding with new membership levels and excellent value propositions for members. Maine Businesses for Sustainability is leading the way for Maine’s sustainable future and economic prosperity.