Can Your Team Go Green? Killer Strategies For Hitting Sustainability Goals In Your Business

Julie Starr • January 25, 2022



With environmental awareness on the rise, an increasing number of firms are adjusting their practices in order to become more ecologically friendly and reduce their overall carbon footprint. In addition to being beneficial to the environment, taking an environmentally conscious strategy can assist in attracting new customers who are also interested in being environmentally conscientious. Consumers are no longer happy for businesses to be using green-washing techniques; they want to see actual concrete action being taken to reduce the impact that the business has on the environment. 

It takes time and effort to establish sustainable behaviors, and it does not happen immediately or by chance. It requires a thorough plan of action as well as a detailed methodology for how the company expects to attain its objectives. Unlike smaller organizations, which may find it easier to adapt their policies to the new reality, larger corporations will likely require more time and resources to do so. However, the increased public acceptance that comes with environmentally friendly activities makes the work worthwhile.

Here, we explore how organizations may work toward and achieve the objective of establishing sustainable, “green” practices throughout the organization from the very top to the very bottom.

Involve all of the stakeholders in the business and harness the collective wisdom

In their stakeholders, companies have a wealth of collective intelligence to draw upon. Engage those in your immediate vicinity, including clients, coworkers, and suppliers, and solicit their suggestions for ways to become greener and more environmentally conscious.

If you feel like you can’t do much in your own business, look at how you can help others

As a business, you may not always be able to develop an environmentally friendly product or practice but you may contribute to the efforts of groups who are doing just that. Encourage your teams to get engaged with non-profit organizations that are working to promote environmentally responsible behavior. This is a terrific way to begin a collaborative endeavor with your team, fostering camaraderie and fostering an authentic approach to making the world a better place in which to live.

Small steps lead to a big impact

Implementing tiny, but significant improvements can result in more environmentally friendly behaviors. Install water filters in place of bottled water for events, and ask staff to bring in their own reusable utensils and straws to use in the corporate cafeteria to reduce the use of plastic in the workplace. Create standard operating procedures to reduce the amount of paper used, as well as the amount of printing and recycling. Employees must be educated on the benefits of these changes in order to support them.

Audit your energy uses

To begin, look for ways to minimize expenditures while simultaneously increasing your sustainability. An energy audit is a good starting step since it appeals to both your environmentally concerned employees and your budget-conscious employees. The results of an energy audit often include recommendations for lighting efficiency improvements that result in cost savings over the long run. Inform your clientele about your sustainability efforts as well—it is excellent public relations!

Encourage stewardship

Business executives and CEOs should view themselves as stewards of the company rather than as owners of the company. When a leader perceives themselves as a steward, they will make decisions with the future in mind, rather than the present. The long-term decisions of a corporation will be prioritized over short-term decisions if the entire organization is focused on stewardship of the environment.

Turn off the lights!

This is pretty standard and obvious stuff, yet it is important to keep in mind. According to the research, when a business only turns the lights on when they are required to do so, the power savings not only collectively cut demand for energy and dramatically lower their carbon footprint, but they also enhance their bottom line as a result. Use artificial intelligence (AI) or human intelligence to turn off lights and screens when they are not needed.

Implement sustainable travel practices

The damage that travel can do to the environment can not be underestimated.  Every company can make changes to its policies to encourage environmentally-friendly travel practices such as taking nonstop flights, paying carbon tax to fund environmental restoration projects, using reusable packing supplies instead of single-use disposables, and most importantly, increasing the use of video conferencing.

Go digital

Businesses should make the transition to digital operations. Businesses will benefit from the adoption of digital ordering, invoicing, inventory management, and supply chain platforms since it will reduce the amount of paper that is exchanged and thus lower operational costs. A few of the inventive choices for a business to go green include the use of solar electricity, the installation of smart equipment that monitors temperature, light, moisture, and movement, and the prohibition of single-use plastics in the workplace.

Ask for ideas

Inviting all workers and vendors to contribute their thoughts on any missing opportunities for the company to become more environmentally conscious. Consider having a diverse employee team or a consultant review the crowdsourced ideas and determine whether or not they are feasible. Make a selection of the most potential and influential candidates. Once you have put them into action, make sure to follow up with your stakeholders to let them know how things are doing. 

Outsource

Outsourcing some of your processes, particularly business IT support services, to an eco-friendly partner can have a positive impact. The staffing is there when you need it rather than having people come in, adding to the pressure on the roads and using additional resources while not being needed. An outsourcing partner will generally work with multiple clients so will have the technologies and equipment that they need already, so you do not have to buy more and potentially create even more waste.

Integrate it into your workplace culture

It is not sufficient to just establish a “green program.” Organizations must commit to it as a corporate priority and modify policies, procedures, technologies, and other aspects of their operations to achieve this. After that, gather ideas from a variety of stakeholders (customers, employees, and suppliers) in order to gain ownership. When people commit to regular green behaviors and share their commitment with their coworkers, change occurs. This involves serving as a green role model for their employees.

Have a B-Corp mindset

When an organization is certified as having a good impact on its employees, community, customers, and the environment,  it is referred to as a “B corporation” Even if your company does not wish to pursue B corporation accreditation, simply examining the application might help you determine where your organization stands in relation to others. Additionally, free resources can assist you in identifying areas for improvement. 

Recycle, recycle, recycle

Recycling is essential for long-term sustainability. Our natural resources will run out eventually if we continue to consume at our current rates, and it is only through recycling and reuse that we will be able to salvage what is left.

By adopting an effective recycling program, you can reduce your trash costs as well as the amount of waste you send to landfills. A composting system can help you reduce food waste to a bare minimum. To collect wasted paper, place a recycling box next to each desk in your office. Products and materials that can be reused should be sought after. Look out for environmentally acceptable methods of disposing of your old electronic equipment. Donate unused equipment to help decrease office waste and maybe qualify for a tax benefit.

Final thoughts

Make a list of goals and focus on long-term ambitions. Decide which goals will be most helpful in achieving your vision, which will have the greatest influence on the environment, and which will make the most sense for your company. Take into account the costs and rewards.

Progress in sustainability should be measured on a regular basis to determine whether or not tactics are effective and what needs to be changed. Because sustainability is a lifelong commitment to the environment and the next generation, it is important to develop ways to keep your objectives current.

The term “sustainability” refers to a lot more than just preserving and developing operations and earnings in today’s business world. Green initiatives are being implemented on a worldwide scale now, and businesses must be accountable enough in their operations to serve the greater good. That a company’s sustainability initiatives not only benefit the environment and the next generation but also provide a considerable return on investment in the form of improved brand recognition and cost savings, is a positive thing.

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.