Being green is very important in today’s gray world. If you want to attract modern, eco-conscious buyers and cooperate with eco-friendly partners, it’s crucial to green up your business. Here are 10 ways to make your business more eco-friendly:
Green source materials
It all starts at the source, so ask the following questions when buying source materials: are they sourced sustainably? Are they fairtrade? Are they made with recycled, recyclable, renewable or biodegradable materials? Are they local?
Eco-friendly packaging
If your business is selling products, make sure to package them in biodegradable materials like corn starch, mycelium, wood pulp, and seaweed. You can also take the opposite route and choose something durable (yet green) that can be reused by your customers. A drawstring bag will come in handy for your users on many occasions instead of ending up in the trash right away.
Eco-friendly shipping
Green shipping practices can truly minimize your carbon footprint. Here are a few ideas: use compact packaging that won’t take up too much space, avoid putting boxes into boxes before shipping, offer discounts on bulk purchases, avoid bubble wrap and packing peanuts.
Renewable energy sources
Every business uses electricity, so in order to minimize your reliance on the grid, you can supply your business with renewable energy sources like solar power. With government incentives, it’s easy and cheap to install solar panels and use more green energy in your operations.
Responsible waste management
Your business should be equipped with recycling stations and easy-to-access waste disposal ways. To make recycling and smart waste disposal easier, you can set up bins all over your premises. For even easier waste management, garbage chutes might be the best solution. They are easy to install and very practical to use for all sorts of businesses.
Reduced water usage
It doesn’t matter if you’re located in a drought-prone area or somewhere with plenty of water, conserving this precious resource is crucial for your eco-friendliness. Start water conservation by fixing all the leaks and drips in your plumbing and fixtures. Next, you can install low-flow fixtures and faucets with aerators. If your business requires regular washing of premises, vehicles or tools, invest in high-pressure washers that use minimal water to get the work done.
Paperless practice
In today’s digital world, it’s very easy to go paperless in the office, at the warehouse, and while shipping. If you switch to online billing and digital receipts, you will prevent wasting paper. You can also store all data on the cloud and drives. If you must use paper, opt for sustainably sourced recycled paper from a local vendor, and make sure to recycle after.
Green brick-and-mortar space
If your business has a storefront or office, make sure to green it up as well. Besides equipping it with plants, you can also use LEDs instead of regular bulbs, boost your natural light, invest in a smart thermostat and employ a green cleaning service.
Encourage green behavior in employees
Your team can do wonderful things for eco-friendliness, especially if you encourage green behaviors with rewards. For instance, you can reward biking to work, ride-sharing and using reusable items with gift cards and even free days. Offering work-from-home options will also reduce your business’s overall carbon footprint.
Charitable work
If you choose to support the environment in active ways, you can offset the impact of your business on nature. Here are a few ideas: plant a tree for every X purchase, donate a percentage of your earnings to an organization of your choice that helps the environment, set up a fundraiser to help green causes (and promote your business in the meantime)…
Achieving eco-friendliness with your business is not easy, but it’s more than possible. These tips above are just some of the many ways you can green up your business, reduce your carbon footprint, minimize waste, and in the process, save money and attract eco-conscious buyers—it’s a win-win situation for the books.
