February 2, 2021
5 min read
Opinions expressed by business man The collaborators are yours.
If this emerges from the ongoing political debate on climate change or the legislative proposal on the Green New Deal, the importance of sustainability as a business practice will be increasingly recognized.
Acting individually is certainly an important first step in creating a greener global society, but it will not be enough. Company contributions are also essential. To be very clear, the world needs deep action from individuals and businesses on sustainability.
The bottom line is that rational and practical measures to protect and preserve our environment are good. A 2017 Nielsen survey found this: Customers increasingly love sustainable brands and see protecting the business environment as an important part of their purchasing decision. A survey in 2016
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According to Cone Communications, 64% of Millennials said they would not take a job at a company that is not committed to sustainability.
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Sustainability isn’t all about putting a garbage can in the copier and break room (although those are good places to start). It’s about taking a dedicated approach to creating a different kind of culture and mindset in your business. Entrepreneurs must go beyond donations and green investments. Make your business sustainable by exploring these practical ways to reduce your business’s carbon footprint.
1. Recycle more than paper
When starting a sustainability program, recycling is often the first thing business leaders consider. It is true that recycling is a key part of environmentally friendly business practices. However, recycling doesn’t just apply to printer paper.
In fact, many types of office supplies and equipment can be recycled. Consider starting recycling programs for items such as printer / toner and ink cartridges, beverage bottles, packaging, binders and cardboard boxes or shipping materials.
Take this new sustainability initiative to the next level by learning how to properly dispose of electronic and digital equipment. Items such as computers and tablets, cell phones, appliances and televisions require special disposal techniques. Look for responsible recyclers to put away your old and unwanted electronics and digital devices.
2. Work with green suppliers
No company works in a vacuum. Your business needs vendors and other stakeholders to deliver all the hardware it needs to run optimally. Each of these suppliers is a new opportunity to advance your sustainability efforts.
Look at your supply chain and ask if your suppliers are using sustainable practices. Otherwise, check out the new options. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Some consumer goods retailers are moving away from paper labels and cardboard packaging for materials made from recycled plastics and fabrics.
Consider giving preferential treatment to local suppliers as well as small businesses. Reducing CO2 emissions through shorter or no shipping processes can on its own offset higher costs and reduce environmental impact.
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3. Be innovative
Not only can you keep up with existing trends and technologies, but you can also find out-of-the-box ways to incorporate sustainability into your business model. Think about how your brand can make your services and products more innovative to be more environmentally friendly while gaining a competitive advantage.
Amazon’s new Amazon Day Delivery initiative is a good example. This program gives Amazon Prime customers the ability to select a single day of the week for all shipments instead of sending them individually when available. One-day shipments can reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by Amazon’s complex shipping processes.
4. Reduce waste
Reducing waste is another essential aspect of a corporate sustainability program. For example, you can rely on digital marketing and product promotion instead of printing catalogs and brochures to reduce wasted paper and ink.
Packaging and labeling of products are two other business processes that offer significant opportunities for waste reduction and operational efficiency. There are green options, but you can also assess whether your existing packaging can be safely shrunk without sacrificing quality.
5. Stay up to date
Stay on top of news and trends related to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Best practices in this area will evolve as new technologies and business cases are developed and refined. For this reason, it is important to be aware of trends, both specific to your industry and to sustainable practices in general.
Be open to a regular assessment of new packaging, shipping and clerical options. Consider not only improving financial performance through new processes or technologies, but also the positive effects on the well-being and productivity of your employees.
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