Sustainable Business Trends to Watch in 2021

Julie Starr • January 27, 2021



In the past, sustainable business practices have often amounted to little more than encouraging employees to use less paper. In 2021, more companies are taking their environmental responsibilities a whole lot more seriously, and I think we can all agree that’s a good thing.

As well as being great for the planet, sustainable business practices are also a great way to build a positive brand and save money for your company too. If that sounds good to you, and you’re wondering what the current sustainable business trends are, read on for the best of business sustainability in 2021 and beyond…

Employee training

It’s all well and goods having the intention to increase your sustainability as a business but if your employees aren’t on board, or if they don’t know where to begin when it comes to sustainable practices, it’s going to be pretty hard to make any improvements. That’s why, by far, the biggest sustainable business trend in 2021 is a set to be employee training.

Making employees aware of the issues, teaching them how to work in a way that produces less waste, and fostering a more eco-conscious mindset amongst your staff is actually one of the easiest things you can do; it also has the potential to be one f the ost effective too. So, whether you run classes, create a sustainable business manifesto or bring in a sustainability Tsar, make sure you’re doing all you can to make your employees more sustainable right now. 

The cloud

Over the past five years or so, there has been a surge in businesses switching to the cloud for their computing needs, but it has still been something of a niche pursuit, Right now, in 2021, that is set to change; the balance is about to tip, and more and more companies are set to join the technological revolution that is cloud technology.

Why is this a good thing? Because storing documents on the cloud means that companies do not need to use nearly as much paper or as many filing systems. Any document can be digitally filed and accessed from anywhere on the planet at the touch os a button. This is obviously much more sustainable, and when implemented correctly, will cut your company’s carbon footprint significantly, especially if you use a sustainable cloud hosting company that will have taken every step possible to cut the environmental costs of running their servers.

Another key benefit of cloud computing is that it makes the process of working from home easier for all involved, which as you will see below, is another big sustainable business trend for 2021.

Remote working

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, more of us have been working from home since December 2019 due to pure necessity, and we’re pleased to see that this has been largely facilitated by businesses of all sizes across a wide spectrum of sectors. Why? Because if more of those people who can work from home do work from home, it will save a whole lot of carbon. When employees work from home, they no longer need to commute to work, which means fewer cars on the road, less carbon released, and lower levels of air pollution, which is amazing for the environment. Not only that, but home working can cut the amount of waste generated in office spaces too – for example, when employees work from home, they have access to their own water supply, cutlery, and so on, which means fewer disposable plastic items are used, and that’s just one example.

Obviously, in order to make remote working possible for your company, you may need to make a few changes such as switching to cloud computing, as mentioned above, learning how to run meetings by phone or internet more efficiently, and maybe even finding out how to fix poor cell signal in the office as well as broadband signal boosting, so that those employees who do need to be in the workplace can reliably connect with those who are able to work from home. This could be a little expensive, but it is an investment worth making because it will make your business more sustainable, more future-proof, and more productive (home workers are typically around 30 percent more productive than office workers). So, what are you waiting for?

Energy Efficiency

If you’re serious about running a sustainable business , you won’t get far without taking a good look at the energy you use and how you use it, and that will be easier than ever in 2021 because there have never been more energy-efficient office appliances on the market. From energy-efficient toilets (yes, really) to low-power lighting systems , there are so many ways you can lower your energy use in the office, and save money in the process. In order to make the best use of them, carry out your very own energy audit, so you know exactly what you’re using and start implementing changes as and when you are able. Again, some of these changes may be expensive, but if you can afford to invest in energy-efficient tech, it won’t be long before it pays for itself in terms of lower energy bills and your ability to brand yourself as a sustainable business – something that is really hot with consumers right now.

Sustainable supply chain

Sustainable businesses may be in favor with customers right now, but if you want to woo them, it isn’t enough to simply ensure that your own working practices are as eco-friendly as possible. Eco-conscious consumers are very savvy and they will not only look at what your company is doing in terms of sustainability but also what your suppliers and any third-party companies you deal with are doing too. So, if, for example, you’re a clothing manufacturer, as well as ensuring you use energy-efficient manufacturing methods in your factories, you will also need to buy sustainable cloth from fairly paid suppliers, if you want to be taken seriously, So, before you partner up with anyone or buy any goods for your business, investigate them as thoroughly as possible and make the right choices for your business.

Recycling programs

If you’ve implemented some of the above ideas, chances are you won’t have as much waste to deal with in 2021 and beyond as you have in the past. However, it’s still worth looking into your waste management practices to see if you can do more recycling as a business . This is set to be a big trend in the coming years, and it is probably one of the simplest things you can do to lower your business’s impact on the earth. 

In order to set up a recycling program, all you need to do is talk to your waste management company or local council, depending on how you dispose of your waste to see what they offer. Then, install recycling bins on-site and encourage your employees to use them, perhaps by setting up rewards for the department that recycles the most by volume. If the bins are there, you will find that most people will use them and it will be a really nice way of encouraging a more sustainable mindset in your staff.

Giving back

Giving back as a business is one of the best things you can do, not only because it feels good to help out, but also because it can help to foster positive relations with your local community and build positive brand awareness amongst your target audience. So, it’s not surprising that giving back is set to be one of the top sustainable business trends in 2021.

By partnering with other sustainable groups and charities in your neighborhood, you can do a lot of good. Whether you donate money to a local upcycling group that takes old office equipment and gives it a new lease of life for struggling school children, you encourage your employees to litter pick once a month or you donate cash to sustainable causes, anything you can do will be greatly appreciated while raising your profile as a serious sustainable business.

Transparency

Finally, we are sure to see a trend in more companies being more transparent about their environmental impact and what they are doing to help the environment. This will be a great thing for companies who are already doing a lot, and for the planet as a whole because it will push companies who aren’t doing enough to up their game and start taking the environment seriously.

Although these are set to be the biggest sustainable business trends in 2021, they are just scratching the surface of what is possible if you’re serious about running an eco-conscious business which is why you should explore the topic as fully as possible, Start by implementing these ideas, then think about other areas where you could potentially make changes. Take small step after small step until you have completely transformed your business into the beast, most sustainable version of itself that is possible. Be part of the solution and see your company thrive as a result.

5 Simple Ways to Make Your Online Business More Sustainable

By Julie Starr • August 9, 2025
Running an online business can feel like a constant balancing act. You’re trying to grow, keep customers happy, and still have time for yourself. The trick to making it all work long-term is to build habits and systems that last. You don’t need a complicated plan or endless resources to do it either. Here are five straightforward ways to make your business more sustainable without overcomplicating things. Focus on long-term customer relationships If you want your business to last, you need customers who keep coming back. That doesn’t just happen because you’ve got a good product or service. It’s about making people feel valued every time they interact with you. Simple things like remembering their name, following up after a purchase, or sending a quick thank-you email can make a huge difference. People are far more likely to support a business they feel connected to, so keep those relationships personal and genuine rather than purely transactional. Make your marketing work smarter A big part of sustainability is making sure your marketing isn’t draining your time or money. You want it to be efficient and get results. This is where working with seo consultants can help. They know how to make sure people can find your business online without you throwing cash at random ads. Even if you can’t hire someone right now, you can start by focusing on keywords, improving your website’s loading speed, and posting valuable content that answers the questions your customers are already asking. Streamline your products or services It’s tempting to try to offer everything to everyone, but that’s rarely a good idea. The more you offer, the more time, money, and resources you’ll end up using. Instead, focus on the things you do best and make them as good as they can be. When you streamline what you’re selling, you can put all your energy into perfecting it, which makes it easier to maintain quality over time. Customers notice when you consistently deliver something great, and they’ll trust you more for it. Keep an eye on your finances No matter how much you enjoy the creative or customer side of your business, the numbers are what will keep you going long-term. That means knowing what’s coming in, what’s going out, and where you can cut costs without cutting quality. Set yourself a monthly check-in to look at your spending and profits. If you spot something that’s not working financially, don’t leave it for months, hoping it will improve. Tackle it early and you’ll avoid bigger problems down the road. Look after yourself You can’t run a sustainable business if you’re running yourself into the ground. Burnout isn’t just bad for you, it’s bad for your customers and your bottom line. Make sure you’re setting boundaries, taking breaks, and switching off when you can. That might mean scheduling a full day without work every week or turning your phone off after a certain time. The more balanced you are, the better decisions you’ll make, and the easier it will be to keep your business moving forward without constantly feeling like you’re in survival mode. Sustainability in business isn’t about doing one big thing; it’s about making intelligent, consistent choices that build over time. Start small, keep checking in on your progress, and before you know it, your business will feel a lot steadier and more future-proof than it did before.

Sustainable Choices That Heavy Industry Businesses Can Easily Make

By Julie Starr • August 8, 2025
Are you hoping to build a heavy industry business? It’s the kind of company that can have globally sweeping positive and negative effects. On the one hand, you’re contributing to the industry, ensuring there’s enough supply to meet demand, and you can do your best to operate in a sustainable way that prioritizes the environment. But on the other hand, the heavy industry has long been the most significant business polluter in the world. Despite advancements in industry technology and usage, their ranking relative to other sectors, such as food and beverage , and shipping and logistics, has remained unchanged as of 2025. Requiring extensive use of large, heavy, and expensive machinery, the fumes produced by heavy-duty factories in sectors like mining, aerospace, nautical, and metal production regularly cause harm to both human and animal life. It’s why anyone interested in investing or scaling within an industry like this needs to focus on their company’s carbon footprint. There are various ways to ensure you’re limiting your harmful output and waste, and you’ll want to use as many as possible within your operation. Check out our recommendations below. Work with Green Suppliers No matter what stage you sit at in the hypothetical supply chain, you’re likely to source at least part of your overall production material from a supplier. If that’s not the case, you’ll still need to work with companies that provide machinery and equipment, as well as replacement parts for these industrial items. All in all, to make as sustainable a choice as possible, you’ll want to commit to working with a ‘green’ supplier who makes eco-conscious choices at every step. Eco-friendly suppliers will strive to both implement sustainable practices within their production line, as well as provide sustainably made and/or extracted materials. The products and/or parts they send out are likely to be recyclable when they reach their end-of-life period, or they’ll run a scheme where you can send old or broken parts back to them. Offset Your Carbon Emissions Offsetting carbon emissions converts the waste output from your operations into something more positive. If you’re interested in programs like this , you can use official government platforms or climate charity websites to contribute. You’ll be able to find a variety of projects that have been undertaken to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and they’ll be located in various regions across the world. You can choose to patronise as many of them as you wish, but if you want to focus on specific types, you’ll also be able to do so. When approaching a program like this, it’s usually best to offset month by month, as this helps you stay on top of your carbon footprint. Be sure to invest in as much carbon removal per tonne as your business has potentially contributed to the atmosphere in the last month. But before you go any further, there’s one thing you need to keep in mind here: Carbon offsetting is just one sustainable practice you can turn to, but it’s not the only one your business will ever need to use. Yes, it’s one of the most sustainable practices a heavy industry business can invest in. But that’s only true when it’s partnered with real-time carbon-lowering efficiencies within day-to-day operations. Repair, Rather Than Throw Away Repairing is the best option if a repair is possible. This should be the first step when evaluating old or broken-down equipment. If it can be salvaged, it should be. Otherwise, you’ll have to replace the equipment in question. Not only is that expensive, but it also means more waste to manage. And not all heavy industry tech can be recycled. Sometimes it’s potentially hazardous and needs to be disposed of carefully, and this could have harsh impacts on the surrounding environment. Repairing is your best bet, at least 80% of the time. You can get back up and running faster, and you don’t need to account for a large investment at short notice. And more equipment can be repaired than you might think. It’s not just small, singular parts that can be pulled out. Entire internal systems in even large vehicles, such as freighter ships, can be replaced by secondary parts. A marine logistics provider or deep-sea fishing operator would save a lot of money just by ordering a Cummins Rebuild Kit for one of their vessels. Deciding to put the ship out of commission and eventually scrapping it will contribute to the large-scale waste common in companies like this. Aiming to repair and limit environmental damage will get that same boat back onto the waters in seaworthy condition. Operate with Lower Emission Logistics Shipping your products to businesses and markets always generates a carbon footprint. Unless you’re operating only within the local area and you’re able to transport products back and forth on foot, this is an unavoidable issue. And seeing as you’re a heavy industry business, that’s not very likely. But some shipping options are better than others. Indeed, there are low-emission choices to be made, and you’ll want to look into these logistic partners only. You’ll likely find that air travel is a total no-go zone. Alternatives to this are long-haul road transportation or a traditional shipping company that operates via sea. Yes, even trucking your products over land generates a lot less carbon waste that can damage the environment than flying something! Staying Green as a Heavy Industry Player Working sustainably within the heavy industry is a career-long project. You’ll need to continually make moves to consider what could be streamlined into something greener and less consuming next. In the end, this can help your long-term costs decrease and stay low. Fewer risky investments, fewer fees from environmental bodies, and more productive time within your business. So, it’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it