Sustainability Ideas for Your Business

Julie Starr • June 11, 2021



In the past cost reduction was all that mattered to businesses that wanted to turn a profit and grow, but these days the motivations and practices need to be more sustainable and progressive to achieve the same results. This is largely due to changes in consumer demand, culture, and government policies. 

So how can you make your business more sustainable? You can start by reading the ideas in this article and taking steps to implement them in your business. If you’re not thinking about sustainable packaging and ethical distribution channels today, you will be in the near future. 

Change you packaging 

The days of cheap plastic packaging are all but over, even companies that still use it will admit that it’s less viable due to the changes in customer expectations. Additionally, sustainable packaging can also be cheap and it provides an effective marketing tool. 

If your business is using cheaply produced plastic it’s an excellent area to look at to grow your business and make it more progressive. Sustainable packaging can be FSC cardboard or biodegradable plastic. 

Redesign your distribution 

Making your business more sustainable is about looking at your processes and materials and making decisions based on environmental and marketing criteria. When it comes to your distribution channels there is likely to be room for improvement. 

Initially, businesses are set up to be as cost-effective as possible, but that isn’t always the most sustainable methodology. Today’s savvy consumers are well aware of distribution channels and can see how a company performs on sustainability. 

Take sustainable payments

The world of payment processing is changing and becoming more sustainable as a result. Digital wallets and online money might not be in the mainstream just yet but with more platforms and systems emerging, like card scanners , it’s only a matter of time. 

So how is this way of taking payments more sustainable? In the first instance, there is no paper money, instead, there are ——, so there is a smaller carbon footprint as a result. Unlike cash, digital payments only use a fraction of the energy to produce and distribute. 

Chemical-free cleaning 

If you want to make your business more sustainable you need to target the big stuff like your distribution channels and your packaging, but equally, you need to think about how your company is running internally and whether you need to introduce more eco-friendly products. 

Chemical-free cleaning is easier than ever with more brands and products catering to this practice. Chemical-free cleaning is often as effective as products using bleach and other chemicals that are damaging to the water supply.

Energy efficiency 

As with Chemical-free cleaning within your business you need to look at the energy efficiency of your building to see if you can make any reductions and savings. Considering your business energy efficiency is both sustainable and cost-effective. 

Some ideas include investing in eco-friendly appliances like eco kettles and smaller computers and laptops with a variety of standby features. You might also optimize your office for energy efficiency and install a smart meter to track energy usage.

By Julie Starr July 17, 2025
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By Julie Starr July 14, 2025
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