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These days, every business is thinking long and hard about what they can do to be more sustainable. It seems like barely a week goes by without news of the latest extreme weather event somewhere in the world, and the record heat waves around the world were certainly a sign that everyone needs to be aware of what’s going on. It is also the case that customers are becoming more discerning when it comes to where they are spending their money. Demonstrating that you are committing to sustainability is going to be something that you need to think about when you are trying to attract new business and retain regular clients.
However, it can be tricky to know where to start with an issue this massive. Most people out there feel like they are doing a decent amount when it comes to their carbon footprint, but as a business owner, you must recognize that you have more responsibility than most. It is up to you to be proactive and look for ways that you can make a difference. Here are some of the easiest ways that you can improve your business’ sustainability and go greener.
Use Greener Materials
If your company sends out a lot of packages regularly, this is going to be one of the easiest places to start. Everyone knows the frustration of receiving a huge parcel for a small item that is loaded with non-recyclable packing. So, start by making sure that you are using recyclable, and indeed recycled, materials for anything that you are sending. When it comes to the products themselves, you may find that it costs more to use eco-friendly materials, but this is absolutely something that you can advertise to your customers to get them excited about the steps that you are taking.
Talk To Your Business Partners And Suppliers
It is a good idea to talk to any other business that you work with about the steps that they are taking to keep their carbon footprint as small as possible. Where possible, you could think about joint initiatives, such as investing in electric or hybrid vehicles. You could also think about teaming up to support a green charity. If your business partners or suppliers are not as invested as you are in sustainability, then it may be time to reconsider those partnerships. Remember that if you promote yourself as a conscientious business then you need to think about what kind of information people could find that could prove otherwise.
Invest In Educating Yourself
One of the most important things to remember about sustainability is that this is not an issue that you can simply tick off your list after making sure that you are recycling properly. This is an issue that is going to have far-reaching and disruptive consequences, and there will be many areas that you may not have considered. Investing in a corporate sustainability course will teach you about frameworks, standards, and guidelines for implementing a strategy, give you insights from experts and industry leaders, and the skills you need to identify both risks and opportunities.
Be Smart With Your Recycling
Most people are already conscientious when it comes to recycling, but your business may be creating more recyclable waste than you realize. To start with, if you have an office, think about getting rid of plastic or disposable cups and other implements for the break room. One of the biggest issues when it comes to recycling at the moment is electronic waste. If you are thinking of phasing out your old computers, tablets, or work phones, then make sure that you dispose of them responsibly. If they still work, then consider donating them to a local charity. If not, find a recycling center that handles e-waste.
Get Your Employees Involved
One of the best ways that you can make sustainability a core element of your business going forward is to get your team involved. Everyone is worried about how they can make a difference when it comes to the climate crisis and working for a company that takes it seriously could be a big morale boost. With that in mind, why not think about offering team-building exercises such as volunteering for a local green charity? If your team works in a central office, then encourage them to find greener travel options. Instituting a ride-share scheme could help people who need to drive to the office (and will save them some money when it comes to those rising gas prices). Could you offer to subsidize public transport to anyone who is looking to give up their car, or subsidize the purchase of a bicycle? You should also encourage anyone with ideas for how to go greener with a reward scheme.
