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!

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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