Nowadays, people expect businesses to not only provide exceptional products or services and go above and beyond with customer service, but also to operate in a more sustainable fashion.
With increasing pressure to be more environmentally conscious, adopting eco-friendly habits is a necessity for businesses to better their brand image and improve customer loyalty.
Being green doesn’t have to involve a complete overhaul; businesses of all sizes can take a proactive approach by implementing a variety of changes to reduce their environmental impact.
So, let’s look at how businesses can adopt more eco-friendly habits to better the planet and remain competitive under environmental pressures.
1. Reduce Energy Consumption
One of the most notable ways businesses can limit their environmental impact is by reducing their energy usage. Those with the budget to make more significant changes could consider switching to green energy suppliers that obtain their power from renewable sources. Smaller companies that can’t do this can still contribute by making small changes, such as using LED lighting or installing motion sensors in less frequently used areas.
2. Encourage Employees to Contribute
Getting staff involved is essential for achieving long-term sustainability goals. Employees can do a variety of things to contribute to the wider environmental objectives, but one area that stands out when it comes to staff contribution is commuting.
Transport is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so motivating employees who drive to take alternative methods of transportation can make a significant difference. You could do this by offering incentives for people to cycle or walk to work, or subsidise public transport expenses. Additionally, providing facilities like showers and secure bike storage will make these options more appealing and achievable.
Alternatively, allowing staff to work from home either full-time or on a hybrid basis will reduce the amount of commuting required and therefore lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced. Working from home also has the added benefit of providing staff with a better work-life balance, which will improve employee satisfaction and retention rate.
3. Digitalise Where Possible
Excessive paper waste is common for businesses. Going paperless can be an effective way to decrease this waste and improve the overall efficiency of the business. One area that is particularly susceptible to paper waste is payroll. Switching from paper to online payroll software allows businesses to eliminate the need for printed payslips and paperwork. Plus, it streamlines the process, alleviates the workload for HR, and diminishes the chances of mistakes.
4. Educate Workers
To ensure long-term success, sustainability should become part of the company culture. Employees are more likely to embrace eco-friendly habits when they have a thorough understanding of the reasons behind them. By organising training sessions for staff, you can foster an appreciation for being environmentally conscious, which will help the overall business maintain eco-friendly practices.
5. Limit Business Travel
Many businesses favour face-to-face meetings, and whilst they do have their benefits, opting for virtual meetings removes the need for travel, which can have a negative environmental impact. Video conferencing tools and collaborative platforms mean businesses can remain connected to clients without the need for frequent travel.
Where in-person meetings are unavoidable, try to travel via train instead of flying, use public transport instead of driving, or carpool to reduce the number of cars on the road.
6. Recycle and Reuse
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to be more eco-friendly as a company. Place recycling bins throughout the office to make recycling easier and more accessible for employees. Additionally, eliminating the use of single-use plastic, like plastic bottles and switching to reusable water bottles will prevent excess waste from ending up in landfills.
7. Track Your Progress
When it comes to adopting more eco-friendly habits, it’s important to track your progress. This way, you can identify areas for improvement and celebrate the victories as you move closer to your goals. Use tools to monitor energy usage, waste production, and carbon emissions and regularly publish sustainability reports to hold everyone in the company accountable.
8. Being Sustainable as a Competitive Advantage
Becoming a more environmentally responsible business doesn’t just benefit the planet; it’s also a strategic move to increase loyalty amongst customers and to look more attractive to stakeholders and investors. By reducing energy consumption, educating and encouraging employees to follow sustainable practices, digitalising processes, limiting business travel, recycling where possible, and tracking your progress, you can drive your business towards long-term sustainability.
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