Building A Sustainable Business Model

Julie Starr • April 27, 2021



One indication that sustainability is becoming more important to consumers is a growing campaign opposing plastic goods and excessive consumption. But what does this mean for your company, and how do you build – or move to – an environmentally sustainable business model?

Let’s take a closer look at what we mean by sustainability and how to build a business model that is sustainable.

Sustainability: what is it?

Sustainability is a corporate strategy for generating long-term value by considering how a company works in terms of the environment’s ecological, social, and economic factors. The premise behind sustainability is that developing such policies promotes business longevity.

Organizations are discovering the need to act on sustainability as demands for corporate responsibility rise and accountability becomes more prevalent. Good PR and intentions are no longer sufficient – it is all about the actions that you take.

Examples of sustainable business models and practices

It can be difficult to envisage what we mean by a sustainable business model if you are new to the concept, so let us look at some household brands who have moved to this strategy t o give you an idea of what is meant by it.

Leading sports brands Nike and Adidas are key players in sustainability . Nike has stepped up its efforts to lower the carbon footprint they leave and reduce the waste that they produce while Adidas has focused its efforts on greening its supply chain and removing plastic bags and artificial dyeing practices.

Car manufacturers have also stepped up in sustainability measures. Of course, it goes without saying that Tesla has made huge strides in the industry with its innovations , but BMW and Toyota have worked to reduce energy emissions and pollution.

The one thing that these companies have in common is their commitment to the issues at hand and their transparency with consumers and other stakeholders. This is something that all businesses, regardless of the industry or scale or age, should be striving for now and in the future.

Empty promises are not enough

There is often some disparity in knowing that sustainability needs to be embedded within every aspect of the business to actually following through and doing it. As we mentioned above, knowing about it and making empty promises is no longer good enough; as a business, you must be seen to be doing it. Greenwashing is something that consumers are aware of, and if they suspect you are greenwashing issues – pretending to do something but not quite doing it – it makes you look inauthentic and untrustworthy.

How do you go about building sustainability into your business model?

Ensure company values and sustainability practices are aligned
 The company’s policy and sustainability activities must be aligned. Disparity between the two is common, which makes sustainability initiatives vulnerable due to a lack of real engagement and prioritization.

Ensure complete transparency
 Transparency is essential for evaluating and strengthening sustainable practices.  You simply can’t judge without transparency. Transparency builds on the premise that an open platform in the business as well as with the community would boost results.  Companies can only achieve transparency by maintaining clear lines of communication with all key stakeholders based on high standards of information access, clarity, and accuracy – as well as a willingness to admit mistakes and improve practices.

Allow it to infiltrate every aspect of your business
 Whether you are looking to renew your general liability insurance or assess your recruitment procedures, down to decisions as to what meals to serve in the staff cafeteria, sustainability should be considered at every level of the business. Only then can you say you are truly embracing sustainability, although consumers do appreciate that even a small step is better than nothing – as long as you are communicating and following through with your intentions.

Consider alternative forms of business ownership
 The conventional top-down business model will result in unjust pay disparities between those at the top (CEOs, other C-level executives, entrepreneurs, and managers) and those at the bottom (the laborers tasked with creating raw materials or carrying out the manufacturing processes). Including others in your sustainability objectives will help you stay on track and give those who work with you a sense of accomplishment.

Communicate with your customers
 It’s fine if your commitment to sustainability means higher prices for your customers. In an informative blog post, series of posts, or dedicated brand page, explain why your consumers are paying more for your goods. One way to engage the clients and give them more control over their money is to include them in decision-making.

What are the benefits of building a sustainable business model?
 There are several ways to address the topic of sustainability, but the most straightforward one that can bring all stakeholders together is this: nicer companies attract more customers.

Use your environmental sustainability as a selling point. According to a 2019 report, telling online shoppers that other people were purchasing eco-friendly goods increased their likelihood of making at least one sustainable purchase by 65 percent.

It is fine to be transparent about your sustainability objectives – in fact, it is good to be so, Customers will inquire, and the more open you are about it, the more likely they will tell their peers.

However, it is possible that money is not your sole motivation. Perhaps you are motivated by a desire to make a positive difference in the world. and  After all, the bigger a company expands, the greater its effect on the environment and the people around it – and it is safer to start out on the right foot than to make the move ten years later, or when customers begin to object to unfair business practices.

If you are thinking of adopting a sustainable business model, bear in mind the costs you will incur in the short term. It is, however, not only for a sustainable future but also for a powerful brand image for today’s environmentally aware customers. To put it another way, sustainability is a good investment.

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.