How to Change Your Company to a More Sustainable Economic Firm

Julie Starr • January 24, 2022



Sustainability is one of the most important issues in business today. Consumers are more interested than ever in products and services that have a positive social and environmental impact. Making the switch to a sustainable economic company can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to make your company more sustainable, there are a few key things you need to do.

Less Wastage 

One of the best ways to make your business more sustainable is to reduce waste. This can be done by implementing recycling and composting programs, using less packaging, and making sure products are designed for recyclability. Although this might seem like a huge expense to implement in your company, first run the numbers, and you might see that some of these perks will include less money waste from your bottom line in the long run. You can also encourage employees to bring their own reusable cups, water bottles, and utensils to work.

Reduce Energy Consumption

Another way to make your company more sustainable is to reduce energy consumption. You can do this by making sure that all of your equipment is Energy Star certified and by turning off electronics when they’re not in use. You can also install motion-activated lights and programmable thermostats.

Renewable Energy Sources

Another great way to make your company more sustainable is to switch to renewable energy sources. For example, installing solar panels or wind turbines can help you reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and decrease your carbon footprint. You can also buy green power from your local utility company.

All Aboard 

Promote sustainability throughout your organization by setting goals and targets for reducing environmental impact. Make sure everyone understands why these changes are important and how they can help achieve them. For example, encourage telecommuting and other flexible work arrangements to reduce commuting distances and associated pollution. Use cloud computing and data centers to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Promote green transportation options, such as public transportation, biking , and walking.

Collaboration 

Collaborate with other companies and organizations to share best practices and develop new sustainable technologies. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.

Certified B Corporation 

You can also make your business more sustainable by becoming a certified B Corporation . A B Corporation is a company that meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This certification shows consumers that your company is committed to sustainability and responsible business practices.

Sustainable Materials 

Finally, you can make your company more sustainable by using sustainable materials. Sustainable materials are made from renewable resources, and they are recyclable and compostable. There are many different types of sustainable materials available, so you can find one that is perfect for your business. Some examples include bamboo, cork, and wool felt.

Making the switch to a sustainable economic company can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many things you can do to make your business more environmentally friendly and economically responsible. By following these tips, you can make the change and improve your bottom line in the process. 

 

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.