How You Can Encourage Your Industry to Follow Your Sustinable Lead

Julie Starr • September 9, 2021



You may have already taken steps to make each department greener within your business, but the journey towards a more sustainable future does not start and finish at your company alone. If you want to make sustainable practices the norm, these practices must spread throughout your entire industry – and beyond. 

This is, of course, much easier said than achieved. You are only in control of your company . You do not have a stake in your competitors or even startups that want to offer an alternative to established corporations. While this can be a challenge, perhaps there are ways to make it a reality.  

Why Should It Be You? 

The big question is why should it be you ? Why of all people should your business be the one to lead the way, where others are perhaps more responsible for promoting unsustainable practices. 

The simple answer is that if not you, then who? You cannot rely on other businesses to take the lead when they might be satisfied doing things the way they always have done. If your brand has a passion for sustainability and an eco-friendly approach to running a business and providing a service, you should be the one to take the lead. 

There is the chance this will be met with some pushback, but this is something you should expect. You know by now that telling gets you nowhere. Instead, it is up to you to show how a sustainable approach to business is the best way to stay up to date with modern consumer trends and ensure your industry thrives. 

Show Them The Wider Benefits 

No one is expecting you to waltz into competitor offices and convince them that sustainability is the way forward. At best, they might humor you before asking you politely to leave. At worst, you may be kicked out before you have a chance to state your case. 

Instead, you must demonstrate the wider benefits of why sustainability is the only option for the next generation of business. One key factor that should prick up some ears and turn heads is how it can help attract young consumers . The current and future generation of customers wants to entertain businesses that emphasize eco-friendly practices, even if it means paying a little more. 

Give Them Alternatives

Changing your business operations will not happen in a day. It is unlikely to happen in a week. But, offering alternatives to businesses with your industry can make it easier for them to envision a future where sustainability is a top priority. 

Identifying popular locations to increase their companies’ scope or even working together to create co-working spaces that cut down on travel, electricity, and occupied office space may not seem possible right now, but it is something to consider for the future when making changes. 

Your competitors will not want you to come to them with mere problems. They want solutions as well. If you have these solutions, your argument will be much stronger. 

Set The Tone

It’s no secret that businesses study one another. This is not to steal ideas but rather to understand what you are doing and perhaps fund an alternative to get ahead of the competition. 

When focusing on sustainability, your business must set the tone, even if any industry please have fallen – for now – on deaf ears. Demonstrating that your sustainability pledge works will go a long way towards convincing the rest of your industry to make the changes that will benefit the planet and encourage healthy competition that will make everyone better. 

Offer Collaboration Opportunities 

Big brands often focus solely on themselves, and the idea of collaborative marketing is not something you see very often, at least not for companies in the same industry. 

However, sustainability is bigger than any competition, and failing to make beneficial changes will affect the entire industry. It can be challenging to shed the stigma that your industry is not dedicated to helping the planet. So, offering to work together to find sustainable solutions for everyday business operations will help everyone. It will show consumers that the entire industry is committed to updating their approach, shifting the opinion that allows your industry to thrive. 

Leading the Way 

The modern consumer, particularly the younger generation, will look for companies that share their views on sustainability. Therefore, you must take steps that encourage others to lead the way. Even industries that are set in their ways will soon see the benefit of sustainable emphasis, which will help normalize the idea of an eco-friendly industry for a brighter and healthier future.

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.

Cutting Cost Without Cutting Corners

By Julie Starr • May 20, 2025
No one likes having to tighten their belts, especially when it comes to running a business or managing a big project, but sometimes cutting costs isn’t just a good idea - it’s actually the only way to keep things moving. The tricky part, of course, is doing it without sacrificing quality or ending up with a long list of regrets you’ll be paying for (literally in many cases) later. The thing to remember is that cost-cutting doesn’t have to mean cutting corners, and if you can be a bit creative and rethink how you usually do things, you can reduce your spending and still get great results. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. Not only does this support your project, but it can support sustainable business initiatives as well. You Don’t Have To Buy Everything One of the most common ways money disappears in business is buying things you don’t need to buy. If you’re in the trade or construction field, you already know how expensive equipment can be, especially when it’s only needed on occasion, which is why it’s crucial to get out of the idea of having to buy everything - there are other ways. Rather than buying every tool, machine, or device upfront, it’s worth thinking about short-term options instead, and that way you don’t have to commit thousands to something you’ll only use once or twice a year. Instead, renting can help bridge the gap between affordability and getting good results, and you’ll still have access to the tools you need. For example, if you’ve got a job coming up that needs specific welding gear but you don’t use it regularly, you’re better off exploring welding equipment rental rather than buying it. You’ll get high-quality, up-to-date equipment, but you avoid the ongoing expense of maintenance, storage, or even depreciation. And when the job is complete, it just goes back with no wasted budget or clutter. Aim For Better Planning Another area where money leaks is in poor planning . The fact is that scheduling and communication are basically very often the difference between staying under budget and going over budget. Over-ordering materials, miscommunication between suppliers, last-minute bookings, and so on all has an impact and the ability to add up and cost significantly more. Spending a bit more upfront in the planning process can save considerable amount of funds later, which is why it’s worth planning projects in phases, double-checking inventory before you place any new orders, and staying as realistic as possible about delivery times. In doing so, you’re not just avoiding waste, you’re keeping the entire project on track, and that’s going to give you much better results and success in the future. Use Tech In Useful Ways We’ve all seen the impressive new software packages with prices to match, but tech doesn’t have to be expensive to work well, and in fact, using a few smart digital tools can save hours of time and lots of paperwork, especially if you’re managing a team or you’ve got multiple projects to juggle all at once. Free or low-cost apps for time tracking, job scheduling, or being able to share communication can help you avoid missed communications and reduce admin hours. And of course, spreadsheets can still work if you like using them, but adding a digital tool to the mix could be just what you need to reduce confusion, mistakes, and having to repeat work. Invest Where It Counts Saving money doesn’t mean always choosing the least expensive option or not buying something when you really do need it. Sometimes, saving money just means choosing the best value item over time, and factoring in sustainable concepts taht support the project and business case. Be mindful and invest in the right things. You’ll want to fund equipment and purchases that support safety and the items that your team use every day that support the business. Cutting corners on essentials might save you money at the start, but it usually just creates more problems later on, and it’s just not worth the risk. Invest wisely.