How to Turn Your Business Green: 5 Simple Steps To A Sustainable Future

If you are reading this, it is probably because you – like many other business owners out there – want to make your venture more sustainable. At the same time, you may be wary of the green-washing that has become so common in today’s world of marketing and PR. Real sustainability can have a huge impact on your business's performance and the health of the world’s climate, so it’s important that you implement it correctly. If you’re still interested in taking some steps that will help ensure a more responsible future for your company, read on. Here are five tips for ensuring your business has a bright green future ahead of it.
 

Responsible sourcing

Whether it is the materials used in the manufacturing of your products or the employees who make them, the sourcing of raw materials will have a big impact on your business’s environmental footprint. There are many ways to source responsibly. If your business deals in food-based commerce, you could try swapping out your ingredients for eco-friendly or fair trade alternatives. For example, companies such as Exberry provide plant-based food colourings. You can also ensure you are purchasing the most sustainable fabrics and materials possible for your company’s uniforms, furniture, and other products. Read the fine print of all of your orders, learn what the symbols and language on them mean, and make informed decisions.
 

Sustainable infrastructure

The construction of your building and the utility systems you use will have a significant impact on the environment. You can take steps to ensure that the building you choose and the utilities your business operates on are as environmentally friendly as possible. Buildings account for approximately 40% of carbon emissions in the US, so it is critical to consider the sustainability of your building. Choosing materials such as solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient appliances can help reduce your carbon footprint. Consider additional ways to cut your expenditure, such as implementing motion-activated lighting. Not only will this reduce your emissions, but it will save your business money in the meantime.
 

Increase efficiency and reuse

Efficiency and reusing materials are two areas where businesses can really see a difference in their environmental impact. Efficiency can be as simple as making sure that your office/shop/factory is not overstaffed. Using technology to make certain tasks less time-consuming and more efficient is also a good idea. Investing in software and machinery that help your business be more efficient and productive can reduce your company’s environmental impact. If possible, implementing recycled materials in your business infrastructure/manufacturing can also be a great way to save money and reduce waste.
 

Go digital

Paper and other paper-based materials may have been necessary in the past, but today, we have so many more options for communication and record-keeping that are environmentally friendly. Email is obviously far less paper-based than traditional correspondence, and even existing paper correspondences can be scanned and put on record in electronic files. Additionally, emailing can increase business efficiency exponentially. Of course, going digital can have its own set of problems. When making the big switch to digital communication, it’s important that your business utilises state-of-the-art security in order to protect sensitive data. One way of doing this is by getting a secure internet connection set up on your business premises. If you take the necessary precautions, you’ll find that your business's carbon footprint is reduced. Every time you choose to use a digital method of communication instead of paper, you are making a small but important step towards a more environmentally friendly future.
 

Conclusion

The methods listed above are just a few ways to turn your business green. There are many other simple and inexpensive ways to make your company more responsible, and they all add up to make a big difference in the environment. If you are serious about becoming more sustainable, there are many ways to do so, but you need to start today. Taking small steps now can help ensure a better future for generations yet to come.

Image from: Akil Mazumder on Pexels