How To Build A Sustainable Company Structure

Julie Starr • January 24, 2022



Sustainability has become a critical factor in business success in recent years. Consumers are increasingly interested in products and services that have a minimal environmental impact, and companies that can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability are more likely to be successful in the long run. There are many ways to build a sustainable company structure, but the following tips are a good place to start.

1) Establish Clear Environmental And Social Policies

One of the best ways to create a sustainable company is to establish clear environmental and social policies . These policies should be based on your company’s values and should reflect your commitment to sustainability. They should also be transparent so that consumers can easily understand what you stand for.

Establishing clear environmental and social policies will help you make better decisions when it comes to running your business. For example, if you have a policy against using certain materials or processes, you’ll be less likely to use them even if they are more cost-effective. And if you have a policy in place that encourages recycling, you’ll be more likely to recycle products and materials instead of throwing them away.

2) Implement Efficient Processes And Systems

In order to be sustainable, a company must operate efficiently and use resources wisely. This means implementing efficient processes and systems that reduce waste and conserve energy. It also means choosing environmentally friendly materials and technologies whenever possible.

Implementing efficient processes and systems can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort. Not only will you save money in the long run, but you’ll also help protect the environment. Some of the best ways to achieve efficiency include using recycled materials, automating tasks wherever possible, and reducing packaging.

3) Make Sustainable Choices When Sourcing Materials And Products

Sourcing materials and products responsibly is another important aspect of sustainability. This means choosing suppliers that share your commitment to environmental and social responsibility, and it also means looking for sustainable alternatives whenever possible.

Making sustainable choices when sourcing materials and products can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort. Not only will you help protect the environment, but you’ll also save money in the long run. Some of the best ways to source materials sustainably include using recycled materials, choosing biodegradable materials , and avoiding excessive packaging.

4) Educate Employees And Consumers About Sustainability

Education is key to creating a sustainable company. Employees need to understand the importance of sustainability and how they can help the company achieve its goals. And consumers need to be aware of the environmental and social impacts of their choices.

Educating employees and consumers about sustainability is essential for creating a sustainable company. Employees need to understand the importance of sustainability and how they can help the company achieve its goals. And consumers need to be aware of the environmental and social impacts of their choices. Some ways to educate employees include holding workshops, posting articles, and setting up intranet pages. Some ways to educate consumers include posting information on your website, issuing press releases, and conducting surveys.

5) Get Some Security

Sustainability is a big word. It encompasses environmental, social, and economic responsibility, which can be daunting for any business to take on board. So it’s important that as you work towards becoming a sustainable company, you have some security in place to protect your business from hazards like Carding .

A good way to achieve this is by setting up sustainability targets. This will give you something to aim for and ensure that your progress is monitored. You can also use environmental management systems (EMS) which will help you track your carbon emissions and energy consumption, among other things.

In conclusion, there are many ways to build a sustainable company structure. By following the tips above, you can create a company that is both environmentally and socially responsible. And by educating employees and consumers about sustainability, you can help them make more informed choices about the products they buy.

 

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.