Common Sustainability Mistakes Companies Make

Julie Starr • May 26, 2021



It’s no secret that companies need to focus their energy on ensuring that their practices are sustainable. We all need to do our part if we’re going to stand any chance of avoiding climate change catastrophe, and that includes both at a personal and corporate level. Companies that do work to improve their environmental record won’t just be doing the right thing, either — they’ll also be more likely to win over customers. The public is increasingly opting to give their money to businesses that show a wider moral conscience, especially younger customers.

Of course, sheer will won’t make your company more sustainable. You need to work on making it so. During the process, you’ll want to avoid some of the common mistakes that many companies make when they’re transitioning to more eco-friendly practices. We take a look at some of the most common errors below.

Token Gestures 

If you’re going to transition to become an environmentally friendly business, then it’s important that you’re doing more than just token gestures. Recycling your paper is important, but it won’t get to the heart of the problem. It’s best to look at making large changes that’ll have an impact 5, 10 years down the line. The world is going to move towards being more environmentally friendly, not less. If you’re just doing the bare minimum, then you’ll always be playing catch up, so look at dedicating time, energy, and money to getting things right at the first time of asking.

Where They Work

It’s not just the working practices that impact a company’s environmental record. The stuff around those practices has an impact, too. For example, let’s take the building . A company could enact plenty of eco-friendly aspects into their day-to-day operations, but if they’re working in a building that is decidedly bad for the environment, then the effects of their efforts will be minimal. The extent to how much you can impact the eco-qualities of your building will depend on whether you own or rent the building, but there’s always something that you can do.

Outdated Appliances 

As well as the building, it’s worthwhile looking at your company’s infrastructure. They might not be as good for the environment as they could be. If you haven’t updated your printer, lights, and other hardware in some time, then it’s possible that they’re energy-drainers. Investing in newer models won’t only be good for the planet, but they’ll likely save you money. These things do require a greater upfront investment, but they end up paying for themselves, as well as bringing other benefits to your company.

Sustainable Communication

There’s always a way to do things in a manner that benefits the planet. Take how you communicate with your customers. If you’re sending out paper marketing, or they need to visit you in person every time they have an issue, then you’ll be using up more resources than are necessary. Instead, look at doing things in a smarter way. In the digital age, there’s no reason for companies to send out printed materials. How your customers communicate with you can also change. Rather than asking the public to visit them in person, companies should offer digital communication methods. Looking to add chat to your website or having a customer service telephone number will reduce your carbon footprint while still ensuring that the customer experience remains positive. It’s what all the big companies are doing.

Lack of Investment 

You have to spend money to make money. It’s true that not all environmental changes will come free, or cheap. Sometimes, the changes that you have to make will come at what seems like a considerable cost. However, it’s worthwhile paying the price — for starters, those changes will last for many years. Second, it’s an investment . They’ll pay for themselves eventually. Plus, in an age when companies that don’t show a concern for the environment will be left behind, not making the investment could prove to be a big error later on down the line.

Conducting a Full Analysis 

You can’t figure out where you need to go until you know where you are. It’s worthwhile looking at your current setup and identifying where you’re currently acting in an unsustainable way. Everyone knows the basics of switching to an environmentally friendly operation. However, while there are things that all companies can do, it’s important to remember that each business is different. If you can perform a thorough review of current practices, you might just discover that you have one or two issues that are causing more damage than you realized. 

Trying To Do Everything Themselves

It can pay to bring outsiders in. After all, you don’t have all the skills needed to run your business. Indeed, your expertise will lie in the products or services that you offer. Other things, such as marketing and legal and the rest, will require help from elsewhere. This principle can apply to your environmental practices, too. There are companies and individuals out there that can provide a more detailed analysis of what you should change than you can. In an age when it’s easier than ever to outsource work, there’s no reason to do everything all by yourself.

Only Showing Concern For The Environment Through Marketing

By far the greatest danger — to the environment and the company’s reputation — is to focus on greenwashing your company . It’s easy to incorporate earth-friendly rhetoric into your marketing materials, but if you’re only paying lip service to the environment, then eventually, it’ll backfire. The world is shifting to greener policies, and in a few years, the businesses that didn’t take it seriously will be left behind. Plus, let’s not forget that customers aren’t stupid. They can see through companies that are just saying what they think the public wants to hear. So make sure that your earth-friendly operations run through all that you do, rather than just being something that you say to curry favor with consumers.

Eco Supply Chain 

You’re not running your company in isolation. You’ll have suppliers, partners, and so on. So it’s worthwhile looking at the eco-credentials of the other companies that you work with. While you might have good practices at your company, if you’re hiring companies with a less than stellar environmental record, then that’ll fall on you, too. Plus, the world will only change if people and companies stop giving their money to businesses that cause harm to the environment. Have the same standards for the companies you hire as you do for your own company. 

Not Taking the Employee’s Views on Board 

The environmental policies that you enact at your company should come from the bottom up, not the top down. Part of the logic behind this is because eco-friendly policies must run through everything you do, rather than just at the top level of your operations. The other reason is that you’ll be more likely to miss something if you focus at the top. A good way to get around this common mistake is to take your employees’ views on board. They’ll likely know where things could be improved, simply because they’re working on the “shop floor” every day. If all the decisions are made at an executive level, then something will be overlooked. This is a generally good rule for all decisions related to your company, not just ones related to the environment.

Overly Ambitious Goals 

It’s good to be driven by passion when it comes to making improvements to your business. But if you’ve never thought about your company’s environmental record before, then it’s a good idea to start slow. While it’s noble to want to change everything and to become a champion of the environment, if you have overly ambitious goals, then it’ll be more likely that you’ll lose focus. Get the basics under control and then you can think about stepping up and doing more. If you are going to set ambitious goals, then be sure to make your plans as detailed as possible, with realistic time frames in mind.

Getting Stuck 

Finally, let’s think about your ongoing commitment to the environment. It’s good to start with the basics, but that shouldn’t be the end of your journey. There are new eco-friendly practices coming out all the time. Indeed, in the space of a couple of years, there’ll be new ways of doing things. Once you’ve finished your current transition to earth-friendly practices, keep on top of what new developments are coming out and other ways that you can improve. You could consider creating an environment officer role at your business; it’ll be their job to stay abreast of developments. It’s all about developing in line with new ways of doing things. 

Conclusion

It’s up to all of us to do better for the planet. Take our tips above, and it won’t be long before you can feel like you’re playing your role. In an age when concern for the climate is becoming more mainstream and important than ever, now’s the perfect time to look at improving your business. 

A Greener Supply Chain with Micro Fulfillment

By Julie Starr • May 23, 2025
A sustainable supply chain is made possible with some major shifts and minor changes that you may not consider at first. One of these is micro fulfillment, where strategically placed warehouses provide streamlined services to a smaller area. So, what are some of the benefits of changing your logistics? From consolidated deliveries to minimal eco-impact, here are a few. Closer Customer Proximity There are a few ways that micro fulfillment centers are revolutionizing the courier industry. Reduced emissions, local sourcing, and support for urban stability are just three of the many examples. Compact logistics are quickly becoming a solution for businesses that want to make a difference, and through small warehouse space for rent , as and when needed, environmental footprints are diminishing as companies deliver services and goods to a smaller customer area. Consolidated Delivery Options Efficiency is everything in business, but it is even more critical when a company is looking to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. Through a micro-fulfillment system, a business is able to reduce the overall number of trips that a courier has to make. With consolidated deliveries concentrated in a smaller geographic area, there are many more options available that contribute to a lower impact, including efficient use of fuel for lower emissions. A Greener Supply Chain with Route Efficiency A company can make many changes when becoming the green link in the supply chain for a healthier logistical operation. However, an average home delivery round for a standard courier service is 50 miles, with 0.42 miles between each drop-off, producing 181g of carbon each. Focusing on a smaller area through micro fulfillment reduce the associated issues with couriers: Being closer to delivery routes reduces the need for extra shipping options. Electric delivery vehicles can be used as there is no need to recharge them. Knowledge of the area helps with routes as drivers can avoid congested areas. Lower Environmental Impact Of course, all efforts to go green and become more sustainable through logistics are to reduce the environmental impact that a business has on the area. Micro fulfillment contributes to this in a way that a wider operation cannot. Shorter routes and enhanced inventory management actively reduce waste. There is also much less energy used, as micro fulfillment centers are designed to be energy-efficient, and EVs and less transport contribute to emission reduction. Enhanced Socioeconomic Benefits There is also a social and economic impact of a business. An enhanced and more sustainable business using local micro fulfillment centers instantly creates more jobs, helping to prop up the local economy. Of course, the efficiency of this type of logistical operation also results in happier customers, increasing the chance of repeat business. From a business perspective, you demonstrate a commitment to ongoing sustainability , appealing to eco-conscious customers. Summary Being closer to customers for delivery helps create a greener supply chain when used with micro fulfillment centers. Local couriers and employees also know the area and can avoid congested areas for streamlined operations. However, there are also social and economic benefits such as job creation, improved customer experiences, and enhanced brand reputation.

Sustainability in Ecommerce: 3 Ways to Make Progress Where It Matters

By Julie Starr • May 21, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it's essential. That’s true across every industry, and ecommerce is no exception. But let’s be honest: building a more sustainable ecommerce business isn’t always straightforward. From packaging to supply chains to last-mile delivery, the challenges are real—and often feel like they’re outside your control. But here’s the good news: sustainable ecommerce is absolutely possible. And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Small, strategic shifts can make a meaningful difference—not just for the planet, but for your customers and your brand’s longevity. Here are three actionable ways you can move the needle toward a more environmentally responsible ecommerce business. Choose Sustainable Packaging That Works for People and Planet Packaging is often one of the most visible and wasteful—aspects of ecommerce. From oversized boxes to plastic fillers, the impact adds up fast. But it doesn’t have to. Thoughtful, sustainable packaging design can dramatically reduce your environmental footprint. Start by right-sizing your shipments to reduce excess material and emissions. Opt for recycled, recyclable, or compostable materials that align with circular economy principles. Better yet, one option is to design custom boxes with sustainable materials, for example. These custom packaging solutions eliminate unnecessary layers while enhancing your brand’s presentation. These aren’t just more sustainable choices, they’re smarter ones. Today’s customers care about where materials come from, and where they end up. Your packaging can reflect your commitment to both. Partner with Purpose: Choose Sustainable Suppliers Your supply chain is an extension of your brand and one of the most powerful levers you have to reduce your environmental impact. You could end up using more than a few suppliers when you’re running an ecommerce company . It’s always worth making sure these are as sustainable as possible . While you may not control every aspect of your suppliers’ operations, you do control who you choose to work with. Prioritize suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability. Look for transparency in sourcing, third-party certifications, and a clear track record of environmental and ethical practices. Ask the right questions: Are their materials responsibly sourced? Do they minimize waste and emissions? How do they treat their workforce? Choosing partners who align with your values not only improves the sustainability of your products—it strengthens your brand’s integrity and resilience. When your supply chain reflects your mission, it creates trust and long-term value across your business. Lead with Impact: Promote Environmental Awareness Sustainability doesn’t stop at your supply chain. As an ecommerce business, you have a unique platform to elevate environmental causes and inspire meaningful change within and beyond your operations. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of highlighting and supporting various sustainable initiatives and causes around the world. One powerful way to do this is by supporting organizations and initiatives that align with your values. Whether it’s donating a portion of your profits, partnering with mission-driven nonprofits, or amplifying important causes across your website and social channels, your advocacy matters. By shining a light on solutions and inviting your customers to participate, you strengthen your brand’s purpose and build a community rooted in shared responsibility. This isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business. Sustainable ecommerce is entirely possible. With the right mindset and a few strategic shifts, your business can lead with integrity, reduce its footprint, and become part of a much-needed transformation in the digital economy.