The global sustainability market is expected to grow 4.5 times from 13.7 billion in 2022 to 61.92 billion in 2030. Businesses that don't innovate and become eco-friendly will be left in the future. Luckily with advances in technology, becoming greener is within reach. No matter the size of your business, adapting eco-friendly practices is the way to go.
Here are 8 ways to make your business greener:
1. Switch to Renewable Energy
A solution that most businesses can adapt is installing solar panels on their offices, storefronts, or warehouses. It will also cut down your operational costs as solar energy is much cheaper and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Make Energy Efficiency Priority
From choosing LED light bulbs to energy-efficient appliances, you can contribute in many ways. Also, encourage employees to turn off equipment when not in use or overcharge their laptops and phones. As a business owner, make sure to regularly service heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and make sure the office space is well-insulated so you don't lose heat during winters.
3. Start Recycling Program
What kind of waste does your business produce? You can simply set up separate bins for recyclables, organic waste, and landfill waste and educate your employees on waste management. For your customers, you can incentivise recycling by offering discounts when they return a product. For example, if you're a coffee shop, you can sell refillable cups and every time a customer returns with that cup, you offer them a 10% discount.
4. Go Paperless
A study by the Paperless Project found that the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year, which is equivalent to one mature tree that took 20 years to grow. Now that most things are done online and virtual receipts are accepted, you can go paperless easily. You can adapt the same strategy for digital invoicing, file storage, and communication. It saves trees but also streamlines your operations and cuts down time spent on printing and documenting transactions.
5. Encourage Sustainable Commuting
You can create incentives for carpooling, biking, or using public transport. Also, offer facilities like bike racks or partnering with local transit authorities for discounted passes.
6. Certifications and Partnerships
Pursue green certifications like LEED or Energy Star to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. Many offer training to implement green practices and also offer opportunities to collaborate with local green businesses and initiatives.
7. Foster a Culture of Sustainability
Get your employees involved in green initiatives and ask for their recommendations on how to comfortably make the office and business more sustainable. You can also form a team where the employees come up with practices and ensure they are implemented.
8. Review and Improve Your Practices
Continuously monitor the effectiveness of your green initiatives and look for areas of improvement. Stay informed about new sustainability practices and technologies that could benefit your business. You can also post these reviews on your company website, which could also help you target a new set of eco-conscious customer base.
If you're on the lookout for some great reads on sustainability, side hustles, or business advice, check out Carrie's Courses.
