According to a survey, around 77 percent of Americans are conscious of the environmental effects of the products they buy. What’s more notable is that 75 percent of millennials are willing to spend more on an environmentally sustainable product. And more than half of the rest of the generations would agree.
These numbers mean one thing for small to medium businesses: it’s time to take the green route. We can’t transform a business’s values and operations overnight. These six easy steps will help them gradually do so and reach success.
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Go Paperless
Documents can be shared and signed online. Advertising campaign mock-ups can be made into presentations. There’s almost nothing that cannot be uploaded in the cloud.
If there’s a right time to reduce paper use in the workplace, it’s today. The digital era makes it easier than ever for businesses to cut down on paper use. Paper production leaves a massive impact on our environment—not to mention the waste it produces after disposal.
Going paperless is one practical, easy way for businesses to start their journey toward sustainability. Plus, it’s one less recurring expense for them too.
Consider Remote Work
With more work done online, businesses will likely be as productive working at home as in a physical office. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has taken off and brought success to many small businesses and enterprises.
Companies now have more reason to adopt this approach as an option for employees. Remote work is good for the environment and the business in the following ways:
- Employees won’t have to commute to work, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.
- Remote work saves companies on electricity expenses as fewer people work in the office.
- Employees can save time from long commutes, so they can use their energy to be more productive at work or home.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
Appliances labeled energy-efficient are friendlier to the environment as they reduce their carbon footprint. But they also benefit businesses by reducing their energy expenses.
Companies can start by upgrading their existing appliances, such as changing to LED lights, using smart thermostats, using light sensors, and using laptops instead of desktop computers.
Use Second Hand Equipment
Aside from upgrading to more eco-friendly devices, using secondhand equipment can also benefit businesses in more ways than one.
Purchasing secondhand workplace equipment, such as refurbished computers and laptops, means less electronic waste produced. This gives used yet fully functional computers a new purpose. Plus, it helps budding entrepreneurs save huge bucks on capital expenditure.
Source Sustainable Materials
TOMS, one of the most renowned eco-friendly companies globally, aims to produce quality shoes without harming the environment. With this in mind, they create shoes using sustainable and recyclable materials.
Businesses in the retail industry can take a page from TOMS’s book to go the eco-friendly route. The challenge is to find manufacturers that use sustainable materials. This doesn’t only apply to their products. They can source environment-friendly materials for use within the office space.
Use Eco-Friendly Packaging
Online shopping has boomed since the pandemic began, along with this is the influx of deliveries.
Businesses that provide deliveries to their customers can help reduce their environmental impact by transitioning to sustainable packaging.
There are a variety of eco-friendly materials to use as packaging, box fillers, and wrappers. Take a cue from Nature Nate’s Honey Co., which has produced 100 percent BPA-free recyclable bottles for their honey.
Encourage an Eco-Friendly Culture
Of course, a green company should be able to instill the culture from within its workforce.
Employers can encourage teams and departments to apply easy, eco-friendly practices to their daily work routines. Whether that’s propping recycling bins in the pantry or rewarding eco-friendly behaviors, providing such programs will go a long way in terms of saving Mother Earth.
Start the Green Route
We’re all set in our quest to become an eco-conscious, sustainable business! The above tips may seem like a small attempt at saving the planet. But if more and more businesses follow suit, imagine the impact it will have on the environment. The best thing about it is that your business will be part of it.
