Going Green, Making Your Business Eco-Friendly

Julie Starr • Jun 04, 2020

One of the biggest pulls to go green is that it can often save money in the long run. While there is more than money at stake, your company’s bottom line should look healthy.

Utilities

Gas, electricity, water. Some of the most significant changes that a business is likely to see. In fact, for large companies, these can quickly run into the thousands. Swapping all the light bulbs to LED power-saving bulbs can make a big difference. They last longer and use less energy. Look for power companies that work with natural energy sources. If you own the building, solar panels produce an incredible amount of energy in summer months. Research alternatives.

Internet

There are several things you can change about how you use the internet within your business. Look for a green host. Green web hosting companies address some of the issues involved with internet usage. They invest in carbon offsetting schemes and renewable energy sources. You can also cut down the number of resources you need by using a cheap VPS to speed up communications.

Landscaping

The space around your building is prime real estate for making a local impact. Creating green spaces is great for your employees, as it gives a productivity boost. But the green can also provide a much-needed space for insects and other wildlife. It can also contribute to cleaning the air.

Telecommute

Many service-based businesses can work remotely. Studies show that remote workers can be more productive . When there are less staff in the building, the company will use less energy. There will be fewer cars on the road, and productivity is higher.

Food and Drink

You can make a significant impact here. If you provide food and drinks to your staff, then you can choose where you source from. Look for organic, local produce. Or choose companies whose ethical values align with your own. You can find many coffee and tea companies that have recyclable bags. Opt for loose tea and ethically sourced beans to make a broader impact. Where possible, have a compost program in place too.

Employees

Your business won’t go green unless everyone is on board. This means training staff in recycling programs. Create a culture within your company that has clear goals for sustainability. Encourage staff with perks for taking public transport and carpooling. Reusable water bottles and travel mugs will help establish good habits. You can place your company logo on to integrate your green efforts and your company.

All companies should be considering their impact on the world. Looking for a range of ways to reduce energy consumptions, and impart those aims to their staff. Create a business that stands for something and makes changes where possible. People care where their products come from, how they’re sourced and what a business stands for. Companies of all sizes can make an impact through learning and adjusting. New technology, new processes, and future thinking that make changes where they are most needed.

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How To Identify Companies That Match Your Values

By Julie Starr • 22 Apr, 2024

As you try to develop a sustainable brand , you need to consider what other companies you work with. These could be collaboration opportunities or suppliers and vendors that help you develop the product or service you want to sell. But, many companies may not share your values, so how can you identify the right companies that meet your eco-friendly attitude? Make Use Of Marketing Platforms It's frustrating to reach out to multiple companies to identify collaboration opportunities. For one, there’s no guarantee you even get a response, and cold emailing or other measures are rarely successful. However, you can use marketing platforms and their many features and resources to companies or influencers that align more closely with what you feel is right. Various platforms offer unique options that enable you to whittle down possible companies until you find the perfect match, saving you plenty of time. Research Their Website However, you can’t just leap into any partnership since these platforms may have outdated information, or companies could have selected everything they think will get them a partnership. As with any approach, extra research is essential. Once you’ve identified a company that seems to match your values, it’s with checking out their website. Look at their blog and customer reviews to get an idea of where their ideals lie so you can get a more transparent picture. Meet With Companies Businesses can also meet directly with potential companies when they have established the possibility of a partnership. Whether you’re looking for a better green transport service or need central laboratory services , having face-to-face conversations is a must. You can open discussions via video calls before arranging an in-person meeting which gives you the chance to visit their location, such as an office or warehouse, to ensure that you aren’t stepping into something you may regret. Look For Accreditation and Certification Modern businesses require certification and accreditation to back up claims they are the most sustainable or to prove they have adhered to necessary compliance laws and regulations. Usually, you can find this on their website but there could also be PR pieces on various industry news sites that can prove the company has obtained the necessary certificates. Identifying these certificates will add confidence they are the right company to work with. Offer Value To Them While you hope the potential partnership brings value to your company, you also need to provide value to them. This point is key for strategic collaboration as it otherwise means you take without offering anything in return. Consider what your business can do, such as increase their awareness or help them develop new research projects. In doing so, you will have a mutually beneficial partnership that helps both companies achieve the goals they have outlined for the year. Values and Value Every partnership or collaboration should bring value. This value should apply to your business and any partnerships but also your customers. If you can identify companies that align with your brand values, you’ll have an easier time developing a positive relationship that ensures you stay on track to meet your goals.

Fresh Content: Where Do You Get The Green For Your Green Business?

By Julie Starr • 19 Apr, 2024

If you’re looking to start up a business that puts environmental responsibility at the forefront of how it operates, or that aims to offer new eco-friendly products and services to the market, then you need to make sure you have a plan for it. In part, you need to think about where the money is going to come from to help you get the business up and running. Here, we’re going to look at a few examples of places you can get the funding your green business needs. Finding like-minded investors A lot of capital in the startup spaces comes from investors who will take the time to look over a host of prospective businesses that are looking to get their start and will choose those that best align with their goals. Finding an investor isn’t always easy, so start by networking in the right professional spaces, especially those that might built specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners in the green sector. There are websites that can help pair your business up with investors, as well, but this can be a fairly competitive space. You want to have the room to be able to talk to potential investors about the profitability of your business, as well as the values and dedication to eco-friendliness that drive it. Getting hold of some credit The other traditional means of funding any business is to get a loan that can allow you to cover all of the necessary upfront costs, and running costs until you’re able to get yours up, running, and making money. Banks were the typical method of borrowing money like this, originally, but as banks got bigger, they lent less to smaller businesses, and as such, commercial funding solutions rose up to take their place, to some degree. If you’re going to try to borrow money, then you need to ensure that you are completely prepared for the application process, which can necessitate a business plan, which is designed, in part, to help show the viability and path to profitability to any lenders. Finding green grants and other financial incentives The push towards greener businesses and more sustainable industries isn’t something that’s only on the minds of a few business owners. There are always state-funded and non-profit-funded initiatives that aim to help those with green businesses on their mind get their start. You should take a look at the range of green business grants and other funding options set up, be it locally, in your state, or federally. Some of these funds and grants will be set up for businesses tackling climate change, ecosystem change, and environmental waste in specific ways, but there are always more grants to keep an eye out for, so make sure you learn how to write a grant proposal well. Finding those who are like-minded, either in seeing the profit potential in your business, or in getting behind the values of it, can help you not only get the funding you need, but it can lead to very advantageous relationships in the future, as well.