Sustainability doesn’t get better than this!

Sustainability is our most important value and the driving force behind everything we do. This is clearly outlined in our Sustainability Charter, which prioritises sustainability over (maximising) profit. It requires all employees to consider sustainability in every decision they make within their roles.

The i+m Sustainability Charter

HOLISTIC

At i+m, we embrace a sustainability approach that goes beyond conserving natural resources; we aim to reshape the structure of our economy, moving away from self-interest and competition and towards fair cooperation that supports the well-being of everyone. This calls for a holistic perspective, considering ecology, animal welfare, and social economy in harmony. Our guiding principles—FAIR, ORGANIC, VEGAN—embody this vision.

PRIORITY

At i+m, our main corporate objective—above profit and growth—is to maximise sustainability at every level within our company and society, while leading the way forward. We are currently prioritising organic, fair trade, vegan, animal welfare, eco-friendly packaging, the economy for the common good, women’s rights, and new work concepts. Although we may be a small company, we see ourselves as a ‘laboratory’ for innovation, aiming to inspire change in other businesses and individuals.

ABSOLUTE

As a small company with limited resources, i+m has chosen a sustainability approach that doesn’t focus solely on isolated areas of action. Instead, we analyse all available options in terms of their sustainability impact and the resources or costs they entail, making decisions based on sustainable efficiency criteria – essentially, a cost-to-sustainability benefit analysis.

How do we communicate our commitment to sustainability?

When designing our website, we debated whether to give ‘sustainability’ the top spot in our main menu, above ‘What we stand for’ and ‘What we are committed to.’ Ultimately, we decided against it. You’ll find out why in the following section.

What sustainability means to us at i+m

The concept of sustainability is broad and often misunderstood. While nearly every company today has a sustainability section on their website, many of them cover far less than we do at i+m, or worse, engage in greenwashing. Too often, sustainability is only linked to environmental responsibility, when it means so much more to us.

At i+m, we view sustainability as a multifaceted and far-reaching concept. For us, it encompasses three key dimensions: ecological, social, and economic sustainability. This means not only prioritising environmental concerns but also addressing global social injustices, while striving to shift the economic system away from selfishness and competition towards the common good and cooperation. These broader aspects might be overlooked under a simple ‘Sustainability’ heading, which is why we’ve chosen more specific terms like ‘common good economy’ and ‘fair trade’ as separate menu items to better reflect our values.

“I believe that a sustainable economy is only achievable if we not only conserve natural resources but also transform the structures of our economic system. This is why the principles of the common good economy and social sustainability are so important to me.”
Jörg von Kruse

The Future of Sustainability

From organic and sustainable to regenerative?

As pioneers and innovators in sustainability, we are deeply engaged in exploring how the concept of sustainability will evolve in the future. It began with the organic and environmental movements of the 1970s, which is when i+m was founded. Over time, it became clear that a truly sustainable shift could not be achieved by producing more eco-friendly products alone, but must also incorporate social justice and economic factors. We’re now inspired by the ideas of regenerative economics, which go beyond sustainability by aiming not only to conserve resources but also to actively restore and give back.

A vision for the future

Our owner-manager, Jörg, firmly believes that a genuine sustainable transformation requires a shift in consciousness. If you’re interested, there are two fascinating, short podcasts (in German) with Jörg on this very topic:

Podcast “Celebrate Organisations“

Folge 14: Spirituelle Unternehmensführung – Meditieren vs. Arbeiten – Teil 1
Folge 15: Spirituelle Unternehmensführung – Meditieren vs. Arbeiten – Teil 2

“We must broaden our purely intellectual understanding of sustainability to encompass a spiritual dimension. This means fostering a deeper connection with nature and all things, allowing us not only to conceptualise unity but also to feel and experience it as a reality. Only then will we be able to make the many choices necessary for the environment and move away from selfishness and convenience with ease and consistency.”
Jörg von Kruse