Each one of us is responsible in some way for the environment today. On an individual basis, we all contribute to climate change in our own ways, whether it is the waste we produce, the amount of fuel we consume, or the energy we expend. Alongside the personal impact we have on the environment, for those in charge of something such as a company, it is understandable that the impact is going to be much larger. There is always waste generated from a business, as well as the energy usage and other factors that are taken into consideration for ESG and green initiatives.
However, there are ways in which business owners are reducing their contributions to climate change, just as we can find ways to diminish our own carbon footprints in our personal lives. Here are 5 simple steps you can take to create an eco-friendlier business.
1. Consider Green Procurement
While running a business, a lot of time will be spent on the essential procurement task. This will be different for each business, but for a retail or manufacturing company, you will be buying products to sell or materials to create your own products. Procuring these things is a full-time job that usually requires someone to be working in the position of procurement. However, this task will naturally be damaging to the environment, no matter how essential it is. Ordering massive quantities of products will require them to be delivered to you or your warehouses, so sourcing them requires a level of consideration. The further afield you buy them, the higher the impact this will have on the environment, increasing your company's carbon footprint. Spend time focusing on green procurement and choose the most eco-friendly options possible.
2. Vow To Reduce Energy Usage
Another step you can take is to actively pursue a reduction in energy consumption. You and your team will use a certain amount of energy to conduct your work, whether that is the operation of machinery during the manufacturing process or the use of technology such as computers. As well as this, there are other things that factor into energy consumption. For example, simply leaving lights on when they are not required can have a significant impact over time. It is not uncommon, even today, to see certain office blocks leaving their lights on overnight. Avoid this and make a vow on behalf of your team that you will all strive to turn the power off when things aren't in use and to be conscious of your team's shared influence on the environment. Switch all your lighting to LED bulbs or other energy efficient tubing to reduce electricity use.
3. Seek Sustainability Training
While the tips in this article will be useful, they are simply the tip of the iceberg. Becoming a truly sustainable business is no easy task, yet it is one that is crucial. It is, therefore, a good idea to consider learning as much as you can, as a business leader, about the impact you can have on the environment and what you can do to diminish that impact. Pursuing further education in corporate sustainability management will help you implement a sustainable, eco-friendly plan for your business. You can learn many things via courses like this, such as how you can create a high-quality corporate sustainability strategy for your company. You can also learn about global insights on sustainability from experts and the ability to spot sustainability risks within your business, among many other things. You could also sponsor other team members to study a course such as this, such as someone who has been assigned to oversee your business's sustainability.
4. Focus On Reusable Materials
One major issue when it comes to the environment is our predisposition as a society to waste things, especially things that don't need to be wasted. We throw away countless items everyday that don't need to be thrown away. Pens, for example, as a commonly discarded item. Of course, this is because many pens we use today are designed to be discarded and not reused. This is where it would instead be a better option to provide reusable pens for your staff, providing them with refills in your storeroom. This counts for many other items, too. For example, things like ring binders and folders are often thrown away instead of being reused. Switching to a paperless system may also be the best decision for your business, both in terms of reducing your company's environmental impact and increasing productivity. Most electronics like printers and computers now can also be purchased for lower prices as factory refurbished, which is better for the environment.
5. Commit To A Recycling Program
You should also consider using items made from recycled materials and strive to recycle anything that can be recycled, too. Using recycled items from eco-friendly businesses is a great way to help offset your carbon footprint. These items can usually then be recycled once used, making the whole process sustainable. Of course, there are also items that you will be using that haven't been made from recycled materials but that can still be recycled themselves. Often, however, many of these items still end up in landfills due to not being sorted properly. It is important to spend time encouraging your team and enforcing or improving your recycling initiative within your workspace. Provide easy access to recycling stations and clear instructions on which items can be recycled. Including a recycling program for your company can generate green results over time and increase employee pride a bit as well.
