7 Ways to Go Green with Your Business
Small businesses can have a big impact on the environment by adopting eco-friendly practices. And, going green is likely to have a big impact on your business. Consumers are increasingly favoring sustainable businesses. A recent study conducted by the National Retail Federation showed that 70% of consumers in the United States and Canada think it is more important than ever for brands to be eco-friendly. Now, it is easier than ever for businesses to achieve sustainability. Here are just a few of the steps you can take today to go green.
Source goods and services that are environmentally and sustainably produced
One of the biggest impacts you can have on the environment as a business is to source sustainable goods. Look at your suppliers – do they integrate sustainability into the production of materials? Are they transparent about their processes? As much as possible, try to source from local suppliers.
Recycle and reuse electronics
Most electronics contain toxic material that can do a lot of damage when thrown in a landfill, leaching into the soil and polluting water supplies. Locally, Comprenew offers electronic recycling via drop-off or pick-up! Additionally, you can up your green game even more by purchasing high-quality refurbished electronics at their store when you need to update your tech.
Take advantage of the cloud
Using a cloud service like G-Suite, Dropbox or Microsoft Office 365 allows you to store essential documents without printing a shred of paper. You can customize access for employees, clients and vendors.
Eco-friendly packaging
Containers and packaging make up 23% of landfill material. Go for biodegradable packaging or packaging that your customers can reuse! If you take the latter route, you can integrate it into your brand by providing a list of suggestions for what your customer can reuse the packaging for.
Adopt green shipping practices
Reduce your business’s carbon footprint by consolidating orders, and using shipping boxes that are as close to the size of your items as possible (haven’t we all received a relatively small product in an enormous box?)
Green up your brick and mortar
If your business has a physical location, there are plenty of things you can do to make it more eco-friendly. Work with your utility providers to enroll in energy-efficient programs, use a green cleaning service, buy second-hand furniture and eliminate single-use items, like paper coffee cups.
Get certified
There are plenty of green certifications available to businesses of all different scales! In addition to elevating your brand, these certifications take away the guesswork of switching to sustainable practices by outline exactly what you need to do. Here in West Michigan, Local First houses the Good for Michigan program, which helps businesses in Michigan measure their impact and work toward B Corp Certification.
As you work toward sustainability, make sure you start small with achievable goals! Take stock of where you are at and where you want to be. Celebrate your eco-friendly milestones with your employees and share your progress with your customers and clients. Talk with other business owners, ask questions and share tips. The accountability and support you receive will help to further build a community around your brand, attract customers that align with your mission, and create a better planet for future generations.