5 Best Examples For Growing A Greener Business

Julie Starr • May 19, 2020

The thing about running a business is that you want it to consistently make money and end up being profitable all the time. Sadly, some entrepreneurs follow business growth principles that are perhaps at the other end of the ethical trading spectrum.

You’re likely reading this article today because you run a business, but you want to make it greener and more ethical. But, you’re perhaps unsure which methods you should follow to make your company greener. With that in mind, take a look at these examples for inspiration:

Be more transparent
Let’s face it: one of the pet hates that most consumers have is a company’s lack of transparency. We live in an age where accountability matters and people want to know more about how their products get made and where the raw materials get sourced.

One way to make your business greener is by being more transparent. Be honest with your customers – and yourself. If your manufacturing practices aren’t particularly ethical, make a stand, and change things.

Invest in solar technology for your premises
It’s a well-known fact that photovoltaic solar panels can harness energy from the sun, enabling you to convert it into electricity or hot water. You could invest in solar technology to partly or wholly power your premises and make it more self-sustainable.

The use of solar technology for your business is a big plus point when striving for a greener and more sustainable image. Plus, your company could even receive government incentives for switching to solar power!

Strive for the paperless office
There’s no reason why, in the 21st century, you cannot achieve a paperless office. Contracts, for instance, can get signed and stored digitally , negating the need to keep vast volumes of paperwork for archive purposes.

And for the times where you must print documents on paper, aside from using recycled paper you could pledge to plant a tree for every ream of paper used. Such an approach is both ethical and an excellent marketing idea for companies looking to become greener.

Embrace the use of recycled products
A way to show that your company is heavily invested in sustainability is by embracing recycled products. For instance, tote bags with your logo are good for brand awareness. But they’re even better when they’re made with recycled materials!

You could also encourage recycling at each of your premises and use recycled paper if you must print documents out. If you run a cafe, for example, you could incentivize customers that bring in their coffee cups from home to use instead of asking for disposable ones.

Give back to the community
One final way of making your business more greener is by devoting some of your resources to giving back to your community. There are many examples of how you could do that. For instance, you could donate unused fabrics or metals to re-use organizations.

Another idea is to donate your products or services for charitable reasons, such as during times of crisis.

By Julie Starr 27 Mar, 2024
It’s now 2024 and that means that there’s no longer any excuse for not being sustainable as a business. We all live in this world, and that means we’re all responsible for the environment. There’s a lot of businesses out there that still don’t care but for the most part, entrepreneurs are trying to make their businesses more sustainable, and so should you too. Whether we like it or not, climate change is still causing many problems to the world and if we don’t make a change now, there’s less we can do about it. So, if you’re looking to become more sustainable as a business, you’ve come to the right place. Switch to renewable energy The first thing you should consider is switching to renewable energy. Even if you can’t do it right now, it’s worth having the conversation. Any small change you can make to help the environment is going to be worth it for you, those around you, and the planet. Not only will you be saving money on energy costs, but you’ll also be reducing the amount of damage your company creates to the environment around you. Take a look at what’s available to you right now so that you can make the switch this year. Offer incentives If you have an office full of people, truly ask yourself how many of those arrive in their own vehicle. There’s a good chance that most of them do, with the others either carpooling or arriving by public transport. Try and offer incentives for everyone to become more conscious of the environment, even if it’s just a few days a week. You could offer work related incentives for those that choose to cycle or walk to work instead of using a vehicle of some sorts like finishing an hour early or buying lunch for everyone at work. Find better ways to practice sustainability You can’t expect to decide to become more sustainable and then those changes to happen overnight; you need to make them happen . Take a look at what other businesses are doing to be more sustainable and use these to start transforming your business. There is always going to be something that you could be doing to be more sustainable. Even if you only start with going paperless , it’s a step in the right direction. Speak to an attorney at RSC PLLC to see if they can help advise you on compliant ways to become more sustainable as a business without accidentally breaking any employment laws. Educate your employees Finally, your employees are the face of your business and represent it in every way. That’s why if they’re not practising sustainability, it’s not going to reflect well on your business. Provide them with plenty of informational resources that can help them make positive changes towards the environment. And, make sure you make it easy for them to do it too. For example, providing the right types of recycling bin for them to use will help them stick to it.
By Julie Starr 27 Mar, 2024
If you’re on a mission to give your business an eco-friendly makeover (and let’s be honest, who isn’t these days?), you’re in the right place. It’s all about moving with the times and embracing the digital world, not just to keep up with the Joneses but to do our bit for this lovely planet of ours. Let’s dive into how taking your business development online can be a total game-changer, both for the environment and your bottom line. Ready, Set, Digital! First things first, let’s talk about going digital. Imagine cutting down on paper clutter and reducing those hefty energy bills. Sounds like a complete dream, right? Well, it’s totally doable. By swapping out the old-school ways for sleek digital systems, you’re not only saving trees but also making your business more accessible to your team and customers worldwide. No More Paper Paper Trails: Think about all the stuff that piles up - invoices, forms, reports. Switching to digital documents means you can access them anytime, anywhere, without having to print a single page. And online forms and digital signatures are not just easy; they’re super efficient too. Selling Online: Ever thought about how much energy a physical store consumes? By moving sales online, you’re saying goodbye to those costs and hello to reaching customers far and wide without expanding your carbon footprint. Plus, it’s open 24/7, so shoppers can browse in their PJs at midnight if they really wanted to. Social Butterflies And Content Creators Now, onto the world of social media and content marketing. It’s like the digital version of word-of-mouth but on steroids. It’s about creating a buzz online without the need for physical brochures or billboards. Creating A Community: Social platforms are perfect for building a tribe of loyal followers who are into what you’re doing, especially your green initiatives. Sharing behind-the-scenes peeks and eco-friendly tips can turn casual browsers into devoted fans. Content Is Your Best Friend: Quality content drives engagement without needing to print a single flier. Think blogs that answer every question under the sun, videos that show off your products in action, and podcasts that get people thinking about sustainability. It’s about being informative and fun, all while staying green. Ads With A Conscience Digital advertising is pretty neat. It lets you target the exact crowd you want, ensuring your message gets in front of the right eyes without wasting resources. Pinpoint Precision: With online ads, you can zoom in on your audience based on what they like, where they live, and heaps more. It means your ads are more effective and less invasive - a win-win for everyone. Green Messaging: When crafting your ads, why not highlight your commitment to the planet? Showing off your eco-friendly products or initiatives can set you apart and appeal to those who share your values. Operations With A Green Heart: As the business world moves online, it’s a great opportunity to make sure every part of your operation is as green as can be. From choosing eco-friendly web hosting to supporting remote work, every little bit helps. Choose Green Hosting: Your choice of hosting can significantly impact the environment. Opting for a hosting service that uses renewable energy reduces the environmental footprint of your online presence. Discuss eco-friendly hosting options with your web designer . Many are knowledgeable about the most sustainable choices for your website. Save Energy: Promote energy-saving practices within your team. Adopting energy-efficient devices and ensuring your website loads efficiently can conserve energy. Every effort towards saving energy contributes to a larger impact. Remote Work For The Win: Embracing remote work reduces commute-related emissions and supports a better work-life balance for your team. Virtual meetings save travel time and energy, further benefiting the environment. Partnering Up For The Planet Select suppliers and partners who prioritize eco-friendly practices. Collaborating with businesses that share your environmental ethos enhances your sustainability efforts. Sustainable Supply Chains: Evaluate your supply chain for sustainability. Choosing suppliers that utilize sustainable methods and materials is crucial for reducing your environmental impact. Working Together: Collaborating with other businesses committed to environmental sustainability can amplify your impact and demonstrate your commitment to your customers. Final Thoughts Adapting your business to online platforms is not only strategic for competitiveness but also essential for sustainability. By integrating digital and eco-friendly practices, choosing like-minded partners, and continuously seeking improvements, you contribute to a more sustainable future. Moving towards a greener business model is an ongoing process of making incremental changes that benefit both the planet and your business. It’s about commitment, curiosity, and constantly seeking ways to be better for the environment. Remember, implementing even a single green practice, is a step in the right direction. Every small action counts towards a larger goal of sustainability.
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