Exploring Sustainable Strategies for Businesses in Byron Bay

The presence of sustainability within business is a rapidly growing concept. As public awareness of sustainability grows, businesses need to adapt to fulfill the wants of their customers. However, the implementation of sustainability is accompanied by many hardships. This research paper aims to understand the presence of sustainability within the businesses of the Byron Bay area, analyze how sustainable efforts may be working or failing within these businesses, and theorize how sustainability may be better implemented in the businesses in ways that can not only make the business more environmentally friendly but also generate revenue. To properly accomplish this task, intensive in-person interviews were conducted with Businesses and Locals in the Byron Bay area. A content analysis of the four separate newspapers in the local area was also performed. It was discovered that there are significant sustainable initiatives practiced within the businesses interviewed that are often matched with equally significant hardships, all of which are dependent on the industry. Results cemented that there is an equal distribution of interest in sustainability between the businesses of Byron Bay and the locals. Still, an unequal amount of effort was put forth to be sustainable. While Businesses were highly focused on sustainability and persevered through challenges to make their products sustainable, many locals longed for sustainable products but were forced to buy non-sustainable products due to higher prices, aesthetics, and inconvenience. Through outside research of peer-reviewed articles, studies, and papers, theoretical ideas will be provided to combat these hardships faced by both businesses and customers to help the businesses within Byron Bay be sustainable and profitable.