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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Soybean Association announced the launch of the “It’s Sustainably Soy” Certification program to recognize organizations, construction firms and executives for utilizing sustainable soy-based products in their infrastructure projects.
A growing number of soy- and bio-based construction additives, materials and methods are available to companies seeking to improve the sustainability of their infrastructure investments.
“The ‘It’s Sustainably Soy’ Certification recognizes organizations committed to environmentally-friendly infrastructure investments by utilizing products based on soybeans, a renewable, abundant crop,” said Todd Main, ISA director of market development.
“Through ongoing research and development, a growing number of soy-based products have price and performance parity, making it easy for executives and organizations to switch to soy with their infrastructure spending.”
Stakeholders, constituents and customers want to do business with organizations that align with their environmental values.
Obtaining the “It’s Sustainably Soy” Certification provides organizations with a resource they can list in annual reports and publications highlighting their ongoing sustainability initiatives.
As society continues to transition away from carbon-intense chemicals and compounds by switching to soy in upcoming infrastructure and construction projects, organizations are helping to make a change that is good for Illinois’ economy, environment and family farmers.
“It’s never been easier to switch to soy-based products to reduce or avoid the need to use legacy, carbon-intense chemicals or complex compounds that carry an environmental impact,” Main said.
“Every project that utilizes a soy- or bio-based product is reducing the need to extract non-renewable resources like petroleum or mineral-based products, in favor of products sourced and rooted in sustainable farming practices.”
Consumers increasingly seek to do business with companies that align with their environmental values and source products from local, sustainable producers. Soy- and bio-based products use materials grown on farms across Illinois.
Soybeans are responsible for nearly 23,000 jobs and almost $1.2 billion in annual wages in the state.
Utilizing soy- and bio-based products as part of adopting sustainable construction practices supports the hardworking soybean farmers of Illinois and the state’s overall agricultural economy.