How to make your business more sustainable.
As the effects of climate change become more visible every day, looking the other way is no longer an option. This applies not only to individuals in their private lives but also to companies, as they can have an immense impact on the environment. Whether that impact is positive or negative is up to you. But how can your business take a more sustainable path? Here are 9 ideas for your business.
#1 - Make sustainability a core principle.
Sustainability should start from the core and extend to every aspect of your business. It may be necessary to redesign your policies and offer environmental education to your employees to achieve this. Sustainability improves our lives, protects our environment, and preserves natural resources for the future. Therefore, the topic must be addressed in-depth and not just be a part of your marketing strategy. It should be a part of your corporate culture.
#2 - Measure your carbon footprint.
Before you take action to reduce your carbon footprint, it's important to measure it properly. Break down your emissions by source to identify the hotspots where emissions reductions need to be focused and to identify areas of opportunity for your business. With this information, you can plan your environmental strategy more efficiently and with greater focus.
#3 - Reduce waste and energy.
If you have an office, then it’s likely that some of the main sources of energy waste are electrical appliances, lighting, and heating. By installing eco-friendly options or choosing devices with high energy star ratings, you could reduce energy waste. Furthermore, you could install automatic lighting sensors or equip your office with switchgear for lighting and heating. Also, switching to renewable energy sources may be a good way forward. These measures may seem more costly at first but will lower your energy bills in the long run.
To reduce waste in general, you can start by using less paper. Store information on your computer rather than printing it off, advertise on your website and social media instead of brochures and switch from paper tissues to washable towels or hand dryers. If using paper is unavoidable, buy recycled paper instead.
#4 - Purchase eco-friendly products for your office.
After reducing waste and energy, take a look at the items you purchase for your office. It's common for every office to need new equipment from time to time for various reasons, but from cleaning supplies to furniture, there's always an eco-friendly alternative. For example, you could use cleaning products that don't contain toxic chemicals and are made of natural ingredients that work just as well as their conventional counterparts.
Another example would be buying vintage or upcycled furniture to take a more eco-friendly approach. This way, you can ensure that these items don't end up in landfills to make room for new furniture. Also, use proper dishes instead of disposable cups and plates.
When it comes to promotional items for your employees or customers, invest in the products that are better for the environment. Therefore, say no to cheap giveaways and maybe think about distributing sustainable tote bags or backpacks.
#5 - Use sustainable materials for your packaging.
Another way to become a more sustainable business is to use sustainable packaging, especially if selling and shipping items is an important part of your operations. Sustainable packaging includes packaging made from 100% recycled materials and reusable packaging. Try to avoid mixing materials since this could make the recycling process more difficult or even impossible. Additionally, combining multiple orders or offering bulk deliveries is also a way to be more sustainable.
#6 - Work with local and sustainable suppliers.
One measure that not only helps reduce your environmental footprint but also builds consumer confidence is to work with local suppliers. In addition, buying local reduces transportation costs. If that's not possible, consider better storage solutions to at least reduce the transportation of goods and materials.
#7 - Encourage your team to do their part.
Be aware that all your measures and efforts can only be effective if they are supported by your employees. Therefore, encourage them to act in a more eco-friendly way. Suggest that they order lunch together or at least in large groups to avoid multiple delivery journeys and packaging. Also, ask them to turn off their computers and unplug electronic devices during their break and before they leave work. This would not only prevent energy waste but also ensure a longer battery life for each device.
In addition, you should request that the lights are turned off when employees leave the room. Even better would be not to turn them on when the natural light seems bright enough.
Another good way to promote sustainability on their way to work is to encourage your employees to choose environmentally-friendly transport. By offering certain schemes or discounts, you can motivate your employees to use public transport or even use the bicycle if the office isn’t too far away. This can reduce the number of cars on the road, which means less carbon dioxide in the air.
#8 - Offer the option to work from home.
There are clear benefits for both employees and employers when working from home is an option. Not only will employees have a better work-life balance and be more motivated, but it will also reduce electricity and heating consumption in the office.
#9 - Offset your carbon footprint.
As a final step, you may want to consider buying carbon offsets. You can do this by supporting various environmental projects such as renewable energy, reforestation, and waste-to-energy. Many carbon trading sites offer this type of service. This way, you can become a climate-neutral company. Now that you know what your company could do to help reduce the environmental footprint and be more sustainable, it’s time to implement these measures. Some of these measures will take more time than others, but the important thing is that you start now, as time is of the essence. As stewards of this earth, it is our responsibility to take care of it.
It's worth noting that environmental awareness is necessary to remain competitive in today's market, as consumers are increasingly changing their buying habits to be more environmentally friendly. Therefore, being more sustainable will not only enhance your brand but also attract new customers.
If you have more ideas on how you can become more sustainable as a business, or if you'd like to learn more about sustainable products for your team, get in touch with us. We'll be happy to help and listen to what you have to say.