Ultimate Guide to Shifting Your Company into Eco-friendly Status

Julie Starr • November 3, 2021



Now more than ever, consumers are deeply researching their purchases. They want to make purchases from companies that are helping the environment, that are helping the world, not destroying it. A consumer cares and wants to know the values and ethics that a company has. Consumers are savvier more than ever, and this is only going to continue thanks to the web and the speed of widespread information. They’re actively seeking companies and products that align with their beliefs and that will want to be a part of the movement to help mother nature.

They’re willing to invest more money in products if it means that their families, loved ones, and the ecosystem can have a future on this planet. Today, businesses of all sizes are shifting towards sustainable practices. Customers are picking up on this and they have taken notice.  If you want to be one of the businesses that help save the Earth, then continue reading on how you can make both big and small changes in your company that can help the environment and allow you to gain more attention!

Look into saving energy

Looking into ways to save energy is one of the fundamental steps towards creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly business. Energy use can vary dramatically depending on the location, type, and size of a business. There are some simple ways to put a stop to this in your office such as switching all of your work to be remote (ditching the office), but there are also some other simple solutions that can be implemented as well:

  • Look into power management systems such as Energy Star
  • Switch your light bulbs
  • Bring in more direct light into the workspace
  • Use windows rather than AC in the summer months
  • Shut down all tech and lights after hours

While some of these may not be possible depending on the type of business and the type of work building (such as a store or office).

Take a look at your suppliers

Understandably, the cheapest route is going to be far more tempting but if you want to think about the environmental impact then keep in mind this may not be the best route. It may be time to look into your supply chain and possibly consider switching companies. This may help in clearing any efforts of exploitation (even if it’s not intentional).  Some questions you should ask yourself about your supplies should include “Are they fair-trade?”, “Are they sourced sustainably?”, “Are they made with recyclable or biodegradable materials?” or other questions that involve what type of product you’re needing for your business. This should also include your packaging materials. Consumers care about eco-friendly packaging so it’s best to begin looking into this as well.

Look into green delivery

If your business focuses more on retail or eCommerce, then this could be something to look into. Small businesses with a focus on sustainability tend to look into green delivery and green shipping methods. This can include logistic companies that have pick-up points, bike delivery drivers, or electric vehicles. This is one small way to reduce your business’s carbon footprint.  Some other tips for shipping and delivery can include:

  • Using as little paper as possible
  • Don’t put small packages into large boxes
  • Offer discounts on multiple orders
  • Look into cutting down on waste by having fewer boxes in the package

While it’s true many customers enjoy the unboxing experience, especially small business owners. It’s better to be as eco-friendly as possible and skip out on all the frills.

Use as little paper as possible

If you’re able to, try your best to switch the company into a paperless one. There is no need for sending out paper bills or invoices. The same can be said for documents. All of these can be used online and in digital format. There are special apps, websites, and software for sending out invoices. Internet banking is commonplace now. There are fillable PDF forms, so whenever you need signatures, this is a great alternative. Also, try to stop single-use paper. There isn’t a need for it, and this can even include toilet paper and paper towels as well.

Get your teammates onboard

Businesses create a lot of weight, far more waste than the average household.  Try to encourage everyone to begin recycling and reusing. This can be as simple as providing some recycling bins and a compost bin. There doesn’t need to be a lot of work. Encourage employees to bring in their lunch, encourage reusable containers. This can also include providing employees with a branded gift of a reusable shopping bag, water bottle, or even coffee cup. Other small ways to make a big impact can include:

  • Getting a rain collector
  • Switching to low-flow toilets and faucets
  • Discuss food waste in the workplace
  • Sell leftover cafeteria food
  • Encourage green initiative events such as a company cleanup
  • Encourage everyone to switch to sustainable commutes
  • Cut down on business trips

These are all small ways that you can help out in switching the lifestyle of your employees as well as the company culture as a whole.

Look into environmental certifications

Consumers are actively aware of business practices and they’re specifically wanting to purchase from companies that have the right certifications. It’s best to obtain a green business certification or some other type of sustainably-related certification. This shows your commitment to the environment and it’s also a way to get recognition from customers as well. Some examples can include:

There are plenty of other certifications out there and they can even vary by country or region. Just look into one that is obtainable for your business. 

Reduce unnecessary travel

It’s okay to admit that business trips are one of the best parts of work. But it’s best to cut down on them for the sake of the environment. The pandemic has proven that many meetings such as workshops, networking events, meetings, and socials can all be helped virtually. So it’s best to move forward and begin looking into a more eco-friendly way to continue these.

Minimizing travel is not only going to save a lot of money for the company but it’s also going to massively help the environment as well by cutting down your carbon footprint. This doesn’t mean that travel has to stop, but it’s best to only have company travel when it’s necessary. In the end, this is going to massively help with creating a more stable and productive business .

Make charitable contributions

If you’re wanting to offset your and your company’s environmental impact then it’s best to first begin actively supporting organizations that are aiming to help the environment. This can include conservatories, ethical charities, and those that aim to clean up our oceans. Some other ideas that you can do to help out can include

  • Donate a percentage of proceeds to environmental programs
  • Set up a fundraiser within your community
  • Start a promotion such as planting trees for every item sold
  • Getting your team on board and actively volunteering with these charities

This is a great way to create a relationship with a charitable organization while also gaining the trust of consumers as well.

Reach out and talk to consumers

It’s important to know what the consumers want. So why not go ahead and just ask? This can also include leading influencers within the industry or even a specific niche. You can ask influencers (your customers and social media followers too) what type of changes should be made to your business. They’re going to be very direct with what they believe is best. Also, listening to these customers and followers will make a big impact and a long-lasting positive impression.

 

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.

Smart Sensors, Smarter Supply Chains: Enhancing Traceability in Food & Beverage

By Julie Starr • June 20, 2025
In today’s competitive food and beverage (F&B) landscape, traceability is no longer a compliance checkbox—it’s a differentiator. The ability to track every step of a product’s journey, from origin to shelf, is vital for regulatory accuracy and to ensure brand integrity, supply chain agility, and consumer trust. Add smart sensors to the mix: the quiet, tireless observers revolutionizing supply chain intelligence. Traceability Has a Data Problem Despite digitization across many F&B operations, most traceability systems still rely on fragmented or manual data inputs. Batch numbers, barcodes, and handwritten logs often stand between a supplier and clarity when things go wrong. This approach struggles with latency and scale. When contamination or delays occur, root cause analysis is slow, costly, and damaging. Smart sensors shift this paradigm by embedding real-time, contextual intelligence into every stage of the supply chain . Whether monitoring humidity in transit or recording fill-level precision in bottling plants, they remove the guesswork by turning physical conditions into structured, time-stamped data. From Passive Monitoring to Active Optimization Sensors used to be reactive tools, alerting operators to anomalies. But smart sensors now play a proactive role in process control. They measure, and they interpret. For example, temperature sensors embedded in cold chain logistics can dynamically adjust cooling systems or flag threshold breaches before spoilage occurs. These advancements reduce waste and loss at a systemic level. In a production facility, smart sensors integrated with PLCs can enforce recipe compliance, verify clean-in-place processes, and detect micro-stoppages in real-time. This enables operations to pivot faster and isolate inefficiencies before they cascade downstream. Trust is Built on Transparency Consumers are paying more attention to what they eat and drink. They’re looking beyond labels, expecting visibility into how ingredients are sourced, processed, and handled. Smart sensors make this level of transparency achievable —without burdening manufacturers with excessive manual oversight. By capturing metadata throughout production and distribution, these sensors create a digital footprint that’s tamper-resistant and instantly accessible. When this data is integrated with a central platform, brands can respond confidently to audits, recalls, and quality assurance challenges with a level of precision that would be impossible through legacy systems. Intelligence Without Infrastructure Overhaul One common misconception is that adding smart sensors requires a top-down reinvention of supply chain infrastructure. In reality, companies can deploy edge sensors in a modular, scalable way. Many modern solutions offer plug-and-play functionality, allowing for fast integration with existing machinery and MES systems. This is where suppliers like alps-machine.com are reshaping expectations. Rather than pushing proprietary ecosystems, they design sensor-ready equipment with interoperability in mind. This future-proofs investment and keeps businesses nimble in the face of regulatory or market shifts. Designing for Data Longevity Sensors are only as powerful as the context they capture. A smart implementation ensures the data collected can be standardized, stored securely, and accessed meaningfully across departments. This means moving beyond local dashboards toward centralized, queryable datasets that inform everything from supplier contracts to marketing claims. As AI and predictive analytics become more accessible, these data-rich environments will unlock new capabilities—such as predicting demand spikes based on real-time freshness indicators or adjusting production schedules dynamically based on in-transit sensor feedback. Final Thoughts: Smarter Isn’t Optional Traceability isn’t solved by more paperwork—it’s solved by embedded intelligence. Smart sensors don’t just help businesses know what happened; they help prevent the wrong things from happening at all. For companies in the food and beverage sector, adopting smart sensors is less about chasing innovation and more about enabling resilience, speed, and confidence in every decision.