In today’s world of overconsumption, we all know how important it is to protect our planet. More and more businesses are trying to do their bit to protect nature, tackle climate change and reduce waste. No matter what products or services you offer, there’s always a way to be a more environmentally friendly business.
If you think that making sustainable decisions is pricey, we can assure you that you can actually make more money by reducing your costs and attracting more customers. Consumers want to support environmentally friendly businesses. In fact, according to research, 57% of consumers in the UK are willing to pay more for products that are good for the planet.
Not every business is the same. While some might need to make a lot of changes to lower their environmental impact, others might not be producing much carbon footprint in the first place.
If you’re thinking about making your business more environmentally friendly, here are some tips for you:
Reuse and recycle
The best way to reduce waste is by reusing things.
Use both sides of printing paper, swap disposable cups, plates and cutlery for regular ones, get a coffee machine that doesn’t need coffee pods.
Once it’s time to throw something away, make sure you recycle everything you can. Keep different bins in your workplace, so you have no excuses to throw everything in one!
Choose sustainable packaging
If you sell products online, the packaging is a major part of your business. But are you using sustainable options?
Did you know that 47% of consumers said that they wouldn’t buy a product in packaging that is harmful to the environment?
You can swap single-use plastic packaging for recycled, reusable or biodegradable ones. If you need more inspiration on how to make your packaging more environmentally friendly, you can check this article by Shopify.
Lower your energy consumption
By lowering your energy consumption you do good both for the planet and for your business! While reducing your carbon footprint, you also reduce your energy bill.
This can be done in a few simple ways. Invest in energy-efficient appliances – this can be pricey but will save you money in the long run. Take advantage of natural light. If that’s not an option for you, use LED lights that use less energy than incandescent light bulbs and lasts longer. Also, unplug electronics at night. Most devices still use energy even when the power is off.
Buy second-hand
Not everything you buy for your business has to be brand new. If you mainly run your business from home and need a desk or if you have an office and need some extra bookshelves, you can always have a look for second-hand furniture. While some items can be damaged, there’s loads of stuff that can be used for many more years before it goes to waste!
Sell or donate what you don’t need
When it’s time to upgrade your furniture, electronics or any other business appliances, why don’t you give the old stuff a second life? You can sell it to someone and make some extra money, or donate it to someone who needs it.
By donating unwanted items you not only do a good thing to our planet but also give back to your community and help fight poverty.
If old items are unusable anymore, make sure you dispose them properly to avoid extra pollution. For example, improperly disposed electronics that end up in landfills can leak heavy toxic chemicals into our ecosystem.
Want to learn more?
Enjoyed these tips but would like to learn more? Want to find out how becoming sustainable will benefit your business? Then you came to the right place!
Our Innovation Green course is aimed at those with ambition and drive to make a difference in their organisation. By attending this course, you will:
- Develop methods to make your business economically, environmentally and socially sustainable
- Develop an understanding of climate change, sustainability and environmental protection
- Acknowledge the roles that business and industry play in protecting the environment
- Reduce your business’s environmental impact by more efficient use of resources
