As Green As It Gets: Could Your Business Be Doing More?

Julie Starr • Nov 19, 2021



The future of the planet is dominating the headlines. If you run a business, you may have been inspired to think about whether you could do more. If there is room for improvement, and you’re eager to do your bit, here are some ideas to consider. 

Recycling, reusing and repurposing

Businesses and organizations all over the world produce a vast amount of waste. In some cases, there is no alternative but to dispose of products and materials, but often, it is possible to recycle, reuse or repurpose the waste we throw away. Running recycling initiatives in the workplace is an excellent way to engage employees and customers in eco-friendly ways of working and it can make a positive difference to the environment. Recycle what you can and consider reusing or repurposing anything that cannot be recycled. From office furniture to leftover food, it may be possible to donate to charities and nonprofits or sell items so that somebody else can benefit from them.

If you don’t already have a recycling program in place, provide containers for your employees to use, hang posters to let people know what kinds of materials they can recycle and send out an email to alert teams to your new initiative. 

Taking advantage of technology

There are several ways in which technology can help us to decrease emissions, eliminate paper use, increase efficiency and reduce waste. Investing in technology offers a raft of benefits for forward-thinking companies. In addition to boosting productivity and cutting costs, technology can also help you run a greener business. With digital technology and smart devices and systems, you can reduce the amount of paper you use, the mail you send and the physical records you keep, speed up communications, and reduce energy consumption. 

If the technology you use is dated, or you’re still using traditional techniques and methods, consider updating and upgrading. From smart systems that regulate the temperature of offices and motion sensors to digital marketing, streamlined online communications and eco-friendly machinery for manufacturing, it’s wise to talk to experts and gather ideas and recommendations based on the requirements of your business and your key objectives. Visit website links and pages, read reviews and compare services, packages and prices to find reputable companies that will help you to identify better ways of working and drive your business forward. Often, embracing innovation and moving with the times can help you to capitalize on new trends, lower expenses and increase productivity, while also adopting more environmentally-friendly systems and processes. 

Greener commuting

Most businesses have teams of employees, some of which commute to work or make journeys for meetings and conferences. If your employees drive to work or attend events in different cities or countries, it’s beneficial to try and promote and incentivize greener travel . Carry out an audit and analyze data to see how many journeys you are making and look for ways to cut out unnecessary trips and reduce your carbon footprint. Use technology to replace in-person meetings in different states or countries with video calls and conferences and encourage your employees to use public transport or carpool. You can run carpooling schemes to make it easier for your team to get to work, or champion cycling, walking or jogging by offering access to bikes, providing on-site showers and changing facilities and giving people more flexibility in terms of their working hours. 

Over the course of the last two years, a large number of companies have switched to home working or hybrid working. For many, this will be a temporary measure, but if it has worked well for your business and your customers and employees, it’s beneficial to think about remote working in the future. If your employees are at home, this eliminates the need for commuting, which saves time and money for workers and reduces emissions. Talk to your team and gauge reactions and opinions. You may find that some people thrive at home, while others would prefer to be at the office or to combine both. 

Eco-friendly materials

Most businesses make, sell or buy materials to offer products or services to customers. If your company is not already actively looking for sustainable materials , now is the time to start. Research suitable alternatives to the products and components you use now, seek advice and keep an eye on what other firms in your industry are doing. If you can switch to sustainable, eco-friendly materials or supplies, this will help you to go green and enhance your brand image. 

Implementing initiatives in the workplace

Protecting the planet is a team effort. Every little helps, but it’s virtually impossible to achieve goals and hit targets without large numbers of people getting involved and jumping on the wagon. As an employer, make it your mission to get your employees and customers involved in initiatives that will have a positive impact on the environment. Simple measures like providing recycling bins and a water cooler and reusable or recyclable cups instead of selling bottled water and encouraging clients to download or save tickets, passes or forms on their phones instead of printing reams of paper will help. Talk to your team, ask for suggestions, get your clients involved on social media and start putting ideas into action. 

Working with eco-friendly brands and businesses

Businesses often work together to offer services and products for customers. If you work with partners or suppliers, or you’re looking to outsource areas of the business, try to find companies that share your values and support eco-friendly schemes. If you create and sell products, for example, work with suppliers and manufacturers that use sustainable materials and packaging and logistics firms that have green vehicles and environmentally-friendly route planning programs. By working together, organizations can achieve more and improve their brand image and reputation. Studies suggest that almost 90% of consumers want to buy from brands that help them to be more ethical and eco-friendly . 

Green fleets and logistics

We live in a world where the skies, tracks and roads are packed with vehicles transporting products from one corner of the globe to another. Global travel and efficient logistics enable us to benefit from swift delivery and international trade, but there is a cost. Vehicles produce emissions, which are harmful to the environment. If you operate a fleet of vehicles, or you transport materials or deliver products via rail, road or air travel, making simple changes can impact your carbon footprint. Invest in eco-friendly vehicles , look for ways to save time and reduce mileage when making deliveries and search for options that involve offsetting emissions. It’s also an excellent idea to offer customers the opportunity to choose eco delivery options at the checkout. We have become accustomed to next-day delivery, but many consumers don’t need the products they order straight away and they may prefer to wait if it means using a more eco-friendly delivery service.

Reducing energy consumption

Reducing energy consumption has two main benefits for businesses. The first is saving money and the second is making a positive difference to the environment. Use smart meters and analyze bills to monitor usage and get an accurate idea of how much energy you use in an average week or month. Identify areas where you can make changes and encourage your employees to get on board. Use motion sensors to shut down lighting systems and thermostats to regulate the temperature. Swap traditional bulbs for energy-efficient light bulbs and turn devices and appliances off at the power socket. Invest in modern heating systems, which are more efficient and use less energy. Choose energy suppliers that provide access to renewable energy sources and consider options such as installing solar panels. If your business is based in an area that receives a lot of sunshine, you could save a substantial amount of money by generating solar energy. If this route interests you, research providers and see if you are eligible for a grant or financial assistance. 

Corporate social responsibility

More and more customers want to buy from businesses that align with their values. If you run a business, and you want to make a difference, it’s beneficial to explore initiatives and organizations you can support. Discuss options with your team, ask for ideas from customers and look for schemes or charities that complement your core values . There are several ways you can do your bit from donating a portion of your profits to wildlife and conservation charities to planting a tree for every purchase. 

Everybody is talking about the future of the planet. We have reached a critical juncture, and businesses can play an integral role in protecting the environment and preserving natural environments. If you could do more, now is the time to make changes and encourage your employees and customers to get involved. Even small modifications can make a big difference. From recycling and repurposing, reducing energy consumption and using sustainable materials to investing in smart, energy-efficient technology and figuring out greener ways to travel and commute, there are multiple ways to make a positive contribution.

Simple Steps To Make Your Office Space More Eco-Friendly

By Julie Starr • 07 Oct, 2024
Becoming more eco-friendly and running a greener business is a responsibility that business owners really need to think more about. The good news is that if you spend a lot of time in your office, there are plenty of ways to make it more eco-friendly without having to overhaul everything and start again (which isn’t just disruptive, but expensive too). So, if you’re ready to get started, here are some simple steps to make your office space more eco-friendly; read on to find out more. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting This idea is a simple one that you can do no matter what else might be on your list of tasks - it’s quick, easy, and really makes a difference; change your light bulbs to something more energy efficient. If you’re still using traditional fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LED which doesn’t just last longer, but also uses a lot less energy. They’re easy to install and they’ll help you cut down on your office’s energy usage almost instantly. If possible, you should make the most of natural light too, so think about rearranging your workspace to let in more sunlight, which saves energy and can boost your mood - it’s a win-win that you can do right away. Prioritize Air Quality The air you breathe matters, and keeping it clean can do wonders for your health and the planet. One way to improve air quality is by adding plants to your workspace because plants are natural air purifiers, and as a bonus, they’ll make your office feel more inviting. Another great idea is to make sure your office’s HVAC system is working efficiently, and having air duct cleaning done by professionals is an easy step you can take to improve air quality and ensure your heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy. Clean air ducts mean cleaner air, less strain on your system, and even lower energy bills, so it’s a simple but really effective thing to do. Switch To Reusable Products If your office is still stocking up on single-use plastic items, it’s time for a change - swap your disposable cups, utensils, and plates for reusable ones and you’ll be surprised at how much waste to eliminate. And what about encouraging people to bring their own mugs and water bottles to work? Give them tea, coffee, and water to refill everything with, and you’ll be doing your bit to help the planet and have less waste to deal with as well. And don’t stop with these things either - there are loads of reusable products that could be useful in your office. You could have refillable pens and ink cartridges for your printer, for example. Go Paperless Speaking of your printer, is that an office machine you actually need? If you were to go digital and aim for a paperless office , you might be able to do away with the printer, which means less money spent on ink and paper, and less energy used altogether. You should be able to set up a system where documents can be shared online and stored electronically, and there are plenty of tools around to help you do exactly that (and much more). If you don’t need to print something and you don’t need a physical copy of a document, don’t make one - just use the digital version instead and you’ll be a lot more eco-friendly.

3 Most Unsustainable Industries & What They're Doing To Be More Eco-Conscious

By Julie Starr • 04 Oct, 2024
Sustainability often gets pushed on the common person. Joe Public is told to be more sustainable with their daily habits as the government pushes for more eco-friendly measures. This is all well and good - but does it really matter when 71% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies around the world? Small business owners are desperate to prove their sustainability, but what are bigger companies in some of the most polluting industries doing to help? We’ve taken three of the least sustainable sectors on the planet and explored the unique ways they’re trying to cut down on emissions and be more eco-friendly. Mining Any industry revolving around drilling underground will not be very environmentally friendly! Mining causes a lot of pollution, but its unsustainability often comes from the way it damages local environments and ecosystems. So, what is this industry doing to change things? It’s largely focusing on more responsible mining practices to reduce waste and mitigate the impact on local environments. This is done through mining dust suppression systems to prevent airborne pollution, reforesting mining sites when they’re no longer in use, and recycling as many materials as possible. Is it perfect? No, but it’s a step in the right direction. Fossil Fuels Shock horror; the fossil fuels industry is the most damaging to our environment. Finding ways to change the scope of this sector is the key to ensuring a better future for all. Some companies in this industry are trying to do this through carbon capture and storage. This is a technique where CO2 emissions are captured before they’re released into the atmosphere and stored underground. Realistically, the main thing fossil fuel companies should be doing is pushing for more renewable energy sources. Many are doing this - though reports suggest they’re not investing as much as they should. If fossil fuel companies dumped more money into developing biofuels and other renewable sources, pollution from this industry would drop dramatically. Fashion The most unbelievable stat to take from this post is that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of our global carbon footprint . That’s remarkable (and worrying), considering how most of us don’t view it as a “dangerous” industry. Fast fashion is the main problem; poorly-made goods are pumped out at a rapid rate, and consumers constantly buy new things. Fashion companies are trying their best to resolve this. Most big brands will now have sustainable lines using recyclable materials. Consumers also hold the key to solving this problem: stop buying new clothes all the time and wear yours for longer. Or buy pre-owned clothes to slow down the fashion production line. Companies can still do more as well: they are trying to adopt more eco-friendly production processes that use less water and energy. The moral of this post is that everyone can do their bit to fight for a more sustainable future. Keep this in mind for your small business . It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there will always be ways to promote eco-friendly practices.
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