Why Even Non-Sustainable Services Can Take Steps Towards Sustainability

Julie Starr • September 20, 2024

There’s a common misconception about environmentally-friendly businesses - that everything they do is always good for the environment at all times, and that without living up to some kind of impossible standard, they simply cannot or should not even bother making improvements.


This much is, of course, false. Any sustainability advocate will celebrate 1% improvements, provided that isn’t used as a shield or excuse to continually harm the environment for profit. As much as possible, harm reduction and offsetting an impact can be helpful.


In fact, even companies that aren’t organized to be sustainable can make appropriate choices and limit their impact in tangible ways. We’d suggest that this means “no one has an excuse,” but a much warmer way to put it is that “every company has a fantastic opportunity to innovate and redefine themselves anew.”


So, how might a non-sustainable business achieve an outcome like that? Let’s consider this below:


Dealing With Emissions

It’s not always possible to cut emissions out entirely, and even the most staunch green activist is likely going to agree with you about that. Of course, there are ways to reduce them, like switching to energy-efficient appliances, using greener transportation options, or even setting up a plan to offset emissions. The intent is to be mindful of how you’re contributing and make incremental improvements. For instance, using cleaner energy sources like solar or wind can go a long way, even if it’s just to power part of your manufacturing line. You can also gain benefit by:


Supporting Charities

You don’t have to save the world yourself. There are many excellent green charities that dedicate their full time approach to making changes and your funding could really help. As a business, supporting them financially, offering resources, or even organizing company-wide volunteer days can make a massive impact too. You’ll be giving back while showing that your business cares about causes that matter. This can also be good for marketing too - it shows that you’re not just giving vague reports about your goals, you’ve actually done something and enriched your industry for it, even if you weren’t quite as tooled as this initiative is.


Sourcing From Sustainable Areas

Consumers get to vote with their wallet, but so does your company. To use an example, a company that uses wood products might switch to suppliers who follow sustainable forestry practices, as they help to preserve forests while still getting the materials they need and replanting for the future. It’s a win-win for the most part, and by giving your money to a sustainable outfit, you’re increasing the demand for that particular resource and practice. The same goes for food-based businesses sourcing organic, locally-grown ingredients instead of those that contribute to environmental degradation or sprays too many chemicals, for example. It’s a little bit of influence you get to have, but it’s not insignificant.


With this advice, you’re sure to see that even non-sustainable services can sometimes take good steps towards sustainability, even if they’re not wearing the full outfit yet.

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.
Share by: