We all need to pitch in when it comes to saving our planet. Businesses are responsible for a big part of greenhouse gas omissions. Plus our customers like us better when we care for their environment.
As a small business, you might not have the resources to put together a team to set the precedent for an eco-friendly and sustainable business. But that doesn't mean you cannot make your business eco-friendly and sustainable.
When it comes to making your small business eco-friendly and sustainable, some steps you can take are:
Save Energy
Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Ask your employees to turn off lights when not in use and when they leave the office after work. Also, when designing your office, opt for optimal natural lighting. In places where you are unable to work with natural lighting, go for motion-detector lights.
Encourage your employees to arrive on time and leave on time. It not only saves energy but generally improves productivity.
Go PaperLess
Shift to electronic communication. Instead of printing receipts, send them to your customers through email. This helps not only save paper but also gives you access to your customer's inbox.
Encourage your employees to go paperless. If going paperless is not possible, limit the use of paper, especially single-use paper.
Consider your packaging
When it comes to packaging, go for recycled paper. Reduce your packaging waste as much as you can without compromising your product quality.
Offer incentives to your customers to recycle the packaging. Encourage them to buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste or offer them refill discounts.
Ecofriendly Transport
Encourage your employees to use public transport or cycle to work. Set a good example by doing the same. Install bicycle racks to make it easy for your employees. Offer them an incentive to do so by offering a late check-in to work when they choose a green transport.
You might want to offer remote work if possible.
Work With Other Green Businesses
When choosing suppliers and distributors, work with companies that share the same sustainable mindset as yours.
Opt for local produce and local suppliers when possible. This reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on fuel costs.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Always keep the 3Rs in mind when making any choice. Remember, the less waste we create the less it ends up in the landfill.
You may also want to install recycling stations in the office so all waste first goes through the recycling center before being sent into the garbage bag.
Collab with Environmental Awareness Companies
Research companies in your city who actively work to make the environment a better place. Join their community. Sign up for their events. You can even sponsor events with them.
At I Am Ocean Minded, we conduct awareness campaigns, beach events and cleanups, and other communal activities to make a real change.
We invite you to join our community to take part in our ocean awareness campaigns.