Simple Steps Towards Business Sustainability

Julie Starr • July 4, 2021



Fortunately, we’re living in a world where science and technology are able to identify the extent of the negative impact human activity is having on the planet we live on. Many of us are shocked by the results and are taking active steps towards leading more environmentally friendly lives and lifestyles. Of course, it’s all good and well implementing these measures into our personal lives. But as a society, we need businesses to follow suit. A huge amount of damage is a result of business operations and if all companies worked together to reduce their carbon footprint and use better business practices, the benefit for the planet could be tremendous! Now, it can often feel difficult to know exactly where to start when it comes to running a business that is less damaging for the planet. But the steps below could help you to get off to the best start possible!

Choose Eco-Friendly Commercial Energy Suppliers

Every business needs energy to run. Whether that’s to run office spaces, machinery, or anything else. Whatever amount of energy you’re using, it’s best if this energy comes from a green supplier. Of course, in a bid to save money, the majority of small businesses opt for the cheapest commercial energy supplier on the market. But if you find that the cheapest option isn’t an eco-friendly one, it can prove more than worth paying a little extra to use more ethical energy. There are countless suppliers out there, so browse the market and see which best suits your business and its needs. If you’re ready and willing to invest in eco friendly energy generators yourself, such as solar panels, you can take an extra step and generate your own green energy. This can cost less in the long run.

Recycle

By now, every workplace should be recycling. This isn’t something that we should solely be doing in our own homes. Invest in color-coded bins that staff can then use to separate their waste. You can then have this collected and recycled!

Add CSR Clauses Into Your Contracts

It’s one thing making your own business more eco-friendly. But it’s going to take many businesses working together to make a huge impact. One way that you can do this? By adding corporate social responsibility (or “CSR”) clauses into your contracts with other businesses you use or work alongside. The majority of small businesses enter into collaborative contracts with other companies, from contracts with businesses who are making your products, businesses collaborating for product collections or marketing campaigns or anything else. You should seriously consider implementing CSR clauses into any contract that you write up with any of these businesses. By implementing these clauses into your contracts, you can ensure that the businesses you’re working with are taking eco-friendly measures as sincerely as you are. This encourages more companies to go above and beyond the minimum legal requirements of ethical practice. Of course, these clauses can focus on any ethical subject from workplace safety training & compliance to fair wage issues. But you can choose to focus on environmental sustainability within your own. This also works well from a PR perspective, as customers will appreciate you using companies and services that align with your business’ values and their values as a consumer.

Reduce Your Paper Consumption

Now, paper is preferable to plastic. But if you are using excess paper, you should do what you can to reduce your paper consumption. This will help to reduce deforestation, save the rainforests and minimize habitat destruction . With technological improvements,  there are now many ways to make the switch from countless paper documents stored in cabinets to online documents. When you think about it, chances are, your business gets through a fair amount of paper on a daily basis. Making this change can reduce waste and minimize deforestation. For documents that do need to be printed for some reason, try to stock up on ethically sourced, recycled options.

Of course, it may take a little time to implement all of these changes into your business and the way that it runs itself. But by taking one step at a time, you can gradually shift your business’ operations and ensure that you’re running a company that can safely say it’s running in a green and fair manner. It’s more than worth the effort and investment – not only now but for the future too!

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.

How Outsourcing Services Can Help Your Business Advance Sustainability Goals

By Julie Starr • April 20, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative. From shifting customer expectations to regulatory momentum and investor pressure, today’s competitive landscape demands more than short-term cost savings. Companies are being called to demonstrate leadership by embedding sustainable practices across their value chain. For many organizations, this transformation can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Strategic outsourcing can unlock both environmental benefits and operational efficiency—helping your company do more with less while strengthening its sustainability performance. By partnering with service providers who specialize in sustainability, you can streamline operations, reduce environmental impact, and build trust with customers, employees, and investors alike. Below are some key areas where outsourcing can support your sustainability journey. Green Energy Consulting Services Are you wondering how to lower energy consumption without impacting business performance? Green energy consultants specialize in reducing carbon footprints through practical, scalable solutions. These experts analyze your energy usage and identify opportunities like switching to renewables, upgrading to energy-saving systems, or adopting smart technologies. Outsourcing initiatives such as solar panel installation or wind-powered electricity procurement signals your organization’s long-term commitment to environmental leadership. And as with many sustainability investments, the result is not just impact—it’s also efficiency and cost savings. Framed in the right way, these actions can become powerful stories that demonstrate your company's values to customers and stakeholders. Sustainable Supply Chain Management A sustainable supply chain is essential for companies aiming to lead in today’s circular economy. Third-party logistics providers and supply chain consultants can help in auditing your supply chain to uncover inefficiencies, and recommend improvements aligned with eco-conscious goals. By outsourcing this function, you gain access to experts who help embed sustainability into procurement practices—using local materials, reducing waste, and improving freight efficiency. Many providers can also connect you with suppliers that share your environmental standards, enabling a cohesive approach to sustainable sourcing. These supply chain enhancements not only reduce emissions and waste—they also reinforce your brand’s environmental credibility across the stakeholder ecosystem. Eco-Friendly IT and Cloud Computing Running a tech-intensive business? Traditional on-site data centers are energy-intensive. Outsourcing IT infrastructure to green cloud providers can dramatically lower your environmental impact. Cloud vendors who use renewable energy for data storage and server operations offer an efficient alternative to on-premise solutions. They also reduce hardware waste and improve system performance—making them both eco-friendly and future-ready. For organizations prioritizing digital sustainability, this move can be a cornerstone of your environmental strategy—and a strong signal of innovation to your stakeholders. Sustainable Junk Removal Services Sustainable operations include responsible waste management. Outsourcing junk removal to companies that prioritize recycling and charitable donations keeps unnecessary items out of landfills and extends the life cycle of materials. These services allow businesses and individuals to declutter responsibly, supporting both environmental and community well-being. It’s a simple but visible action that can reinforce your sustainability message both internally and externally. Carbon Offsetting Services Not all emissions can be eliminated—but many can be offset. Specialized outsourcing firms help companies calculate, track, and neutralize their carbon emissions through strategic reforestation projects , renewable energy, or community resilience projects. These providers simplify the path to carbon neutrality, enabling your business to meet emissions targets without overwhelming internal resources. When shared transparently, these efforts can build credibility and show stakeholders your commitment to real climate action. Green Building and Facility Services For organizations with a physical footprint, outsourcing to green building service providers supports both environmental and business performance. Whether you're retrofitting with energy-efficient systems, reimagining interior layouts for LEED certification, or upgrading lighting and HVAC, retrofitting to eco-friendly office design supports long-term thinking. Outsourcing this expertise ensures you’re not only meeting today’s expectations—but also building for tomorrow’s workforce and market needs. Outsourced R&D for Sustainable Products Developing greener products doesn’t need to be done in-house. By outsourcing R&D to sustainability-focused experts, your company can bring innovative ideas—like biodegradable packaging or low-impact materials—to market faster. These partnerships inject creativity and specialized knowledge into your product development pipeline, helping you stay ahead of regulatory shifts and consumer demand. More importantly, they support a brand narrative rooted in innovation and responsibility. Conclusion: Aligning Profit with Purpose Sustainability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitiveness, resilience, and leadership. Outsourcing to sustainability-minded providers allows your business to focus on core strengths while accelerating progress toward environmental and ESG goals. From energy and IT to supply chain and product development, these partnerships offer a smart path forward—one that balances operational efficiency with lasting impact.  At its best, sustainable outsourcing isn’t a sideline strategy. It’s a meaningful part of how forward-thinking companies align profit with purpose—and demonstrate what’s possible when businesses lead with values.