In the current world, sustainability is the key to long-term success. With small steps toward sustainability, you ensure your products meet the needs of the present. You also ensure plenty of world resources so future generations can fend for themselves.
Moreover, customers and investors are more eager to support businesses that care for the world and try to protect the environment!
So, if you’re interested in embracing sustainability, let’s start with some basic steps!
1. Source sustainable materials
If your business sells products, your products must have an eco-friendly design and use sustainable materials.
- Source the materials from ethical providers that follow environmentally friendly practices. For instance, buy paper and wood from sellers who promise to grow new plants to replace the old ones or from a business that sells recycled paper and wood.
- Switch to suppliers with fair-trade certifications. In this case, you pay the marginalized suppliers of developing nations at or beyond the market rate for their products. This empowers them to cover production costs sustainably and promotes environmentally friendly processes.
- If possible, source materials locally from small businesses. This supports the local community’s economy and reduces emissions from transportation.
2. Choose sustainable ways to pack product
Opt for recyclable, biodegradable, and renewable materials for storing and shipping packaging to minimize environmental effects. Avoid using materials that contaminate water and soil or harm the ozone layer.
Some great options for packaging materials are cardboard and paper made with post-consumer fibers, wood pulp, corn starch, and seaweed. If you have to use plastic, use recyclable ones.
Use reusable packaging, such as sturdy cardboard boxes and canvas drawstring bags. This ensures the packaging material doesn’t reach the landfill too soon.
3. Opt for greener methods for your services
If you have a service-based business, adhere to more eco-friendly options. For instance, beauty and wellness businesses must dump waste properly, and painting businesses must recycle any excess paint and solvent.
Event planning companies must opt for décor recyclable or reusable décor and connect clients with sustainable businesses for food and other services. Construction companies must switch to fuel-efficient equipment, avoid water wastage, and discard construction waste properly.
Cleaning companies must properly dispose of toxic chemical waste and not dump it in the environment. Otherwise, the soil may become barren, and the natural ecosystem of the waterways nearby may be destroyed.
4. Make eco-friendly changes in your business establishment
This is a great initiative to make a green, sustainable business. For instance, recycled paper can be used in the office. Encourage employees to discard waste properly.
Let the sunlight in your office and discourage using lights during the day. Encourage teams to take turns to ensure all lights and equipment are shut down at the end of the day.
Try to go paperless as much as possible and encourage the use of digital materials more. You must also switch to metal business cards with QR code by Mobilocard. This way, you won’t create a ton of paper waste by giving away paper business cards. One tap on the receiver’s phone will do the trick!
5. Promote remote work
If possible, switch your business to a remote or hybrid work model. Encourage your employees to work from home on days they’re not needed on the floor.
This ensures energy savings in several ways. For example, not much electricity will be consumed on days they work at home, and the impact of using electricity at home is much lower than that at the office.
They won’t have to commute on those days, so fewer vehicles will be on the roads. Thus, it will lower greenhouse gas emission rates on those days.
A study has established that remote employees have about 54% lower carbon footprint than on-site employees.
6. Switch to energy-efficient appliances, equipment
Replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with LED lightbulbs throughout the establishment, as they consume far less energy. Insulate the establishment to retain the preferred temperature without straining your heating or cooling systems. This also decreases electricity consumption a lot.
Always invest in Energy Star-certified equipment. If you’ve already bought expensive equipment but it doesn’t have Energy Star certification, replace it only once it’s old. Don’t get rid of it if it is completely functional.
7. Choose the shipping methods wisely
When choosing a shipping company for your products, use natural gas or propane vehicles, as they are cleaner than gasoline and diesel. If you have the option, opting for electric or hybrid local delivery vehicles is even better.
If the delivery is long-distance and accessible via road, choose rail instead of truck transportation.
Conclusion
Embrace these steps at the beginning of your journey to guide your employees toward a similar mindset. You will build the sustainable business you’ve always dreamed of with time and utmost effort!
