A business owner has many responsibilities. They have to make sure profits are made while also ensuring that their employees are paid, taxes are filed, and so on. However, there is one aspect that has grown significantly in terms of importance and visibility in recent years: running a more sustainable business.
The world is becoming more aware of the damage caused by climate change. In an effort to limit this damage and the impact of global warming, businesses are making key changes to how they operate. It’s not just to benefit the environment, either. Forbes reports that almost 90% of consumers are more loyal to a company supporting environmental and social issues.
If you’re ready to become more eco-friendly, this article is a great starting point. Below are four ways to run a more sustainable business.
1. Change the manufacturing process
Is your business responsible for manufacturing products? In this case, you have found the first place to look when becoming more sustainable. There are numerous ways you can alter the manufacturing process for an eco-friendlier approach.
One of the easiest but most effective changes is to go with a different supplier. For instance, say you are based in Europe. One of your product components, custom battery tabs, are being shipped from China. Instead of the excess emissions caused by such a long journey, you can go with Avocet Battery Materials, a European-based supplier, for more sustainable sourcing.
Of course, this is only one example of how a change in the manufacturing process can make a difference. Different materials, machinery, processes, etc., can all play a significant role.
2. Renewable energy
Firstly, you should be seeking ways to reduce the amount of energy your business uses. However, another important step to take is to incorporate renewable energy sources. Rather than receiving electricity the traditional way – and releasing toxins into the atmosphere as a result – you can create it in an environmentally friendly way.
Wind energy, waterpower, solar power – these are several renewable energy paths you can take. As well as helping the environment, using renewable energy sources can also save your business money in the long run.
3. Sustainable packaging
The use of sustainable packaging is another effective method to make your business eco-friendlier. Think about it. If you’re sending out hundreds or even thousands of deliveries each week, using excessive packaging for each, this will have a negative impact on the environment.
Fortunately, there are various eco-friendly packaging materials available. These include:
- Recycled cardboard and paper
- Cornstarch packaging
- Organic fabrics
- Biodegradable packing peanuts
4. Reduce waste
It doesn’t matter the size or what type of business you operate. It always produces a certain amount of waste. While these waste levels can differ significantly, the aim should always be the same: reduce how much is produced.
Recyclable materials range from paper to electrical items, and there are various ways to go about reducing these ethically. For example, you could choose refurbished desktops and laptops rather than new products and pair these up with cloud technology.