How Your Business Can Fight Its Throwaway Culture

Julie Starr • December 15, 2020



There’s no doubt that we live in a throwaway culture. If anything, the problem is getting worse, not better. For bosses and entrepreneurs, it creates nasty side-effects because failing to exploit goods and services only leads to waste. And, the more wastage you have in the workplace, the more money you’ll leave on the table.

As a leader, it’s your job to improve efficiency throughout the office. Of course, it’s challenging when your routine is full of bad habits and the business is stuck in a rut. Plus, you might not think that fighting your brand’s throwaway culture is necessary at the moment.

Just remember that without eco-friendly efficiency, not only are the odds of blowing your budget higher, but the chances of appealing to new customers are lower. In short, you have to do something if you want to reach your long-term goals. Here are four options at your disposal.

Buy Cheap, Buy Twice

Buying multiple times is expensive, and it’s bad for the environment. When you increase the demand, it results in additional goods and services being made, which means essential resources are depleted. The worst part is, this isn’t necessary if you do your research and opt for quality items.

When you buy cheap, you buy twice since the quality is much lower. Therefore, it’s smarter to purchase more expensive hardware and software for the office to ensure it lasts longer. Yes, price and standards don’t always go hand in hand, so you should be careful before heading to the virtual checkout. Still, as a rule, the best products won’t be offered at bargain rates.

If you are in doubt, you should opt for brands you can rely on, ones that are synonymous with maintaining high standards. Then, you can almost guarantee that nothing will be thrown away for a long time.

Provide Work Devices

Not providing work devices is a way to reduce expenses. It’s usually a last resort when money is tight and the budget is bare. Unfortunately, some bosses are obsessed with liquidity, so you might be tempted to avoid investments if they appear too costly or pricey. It’s a massive mistake.

Firstly, there are security concerns you should address. Secondly, from a sustainability perspective, letting people use personal devices to conduct business will affect the supply chain. When the supply chain becomes too complicated to understand and manage, you can expect plenty of wastage.

Ensuring your staff has the latest Android devices with Android Zero-touch capabilities makes large-scale deployment seamless. As a result, errors shouldn’t occur that exacerbate the throwaway culture, such as overbuying materials with short expiration dates.

Recycle

It’s a cliche, but that doesn’t mean recycling isn’t a useful tool in the fight against waste. A recycling program is about as simple and powerful as it gets because you can guarantee that your garbage isn’t harming the planet.

Food is obvious since meals and drinks come in plastic containers and metal cans. But, there’s a lot more in the office you can recycle, including your old appliances. A printer is hard to get rid of, which is why you are tempted to take it to the dump. However, you can trade it in, scrap it for parts, or donate it to charity.

The latter is an excellent hack if you’re struggling to find a solution that doesn’t involve throwing it away. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, which is why Goodwill stores will gladly accept donations to help the less fortunate.

Invest In A Lifestyle

Your focus will be on the business as a whole, but at some stage, you need to recognize that the effectiveness of your strategy relies on your employees. If they don’t get on board and invest in the new policies, the plan will fail quickly. After all, you rely on your workers to implement procedures, and this is no different.

With that in mind, you need to show them that a throwaway culture is bad and exists outside of the office. Should you hit this target, they’ll start making decisions for the good of health and wellbeing, and the company will benefit. Driving less is a prime example. Highlighting the emissions of a standard commute and the money they spend on gas could encourage them to walk more.

Or, they might cycle to work if you develop a scheme that makes owning or renting a bike accessible and affordable.

The key is to realize that you have a throwaway culture. Then, you can concentrate on tweaking your approach.

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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