Businesses have a responsibility to adopt more environmentally friendly practices to help conserve the planet’s natural resources and help reverse the harmful effects of climate change. Not only that but there is increasing consumer demand for products and services that are eco-friendly and environmental impact is often a major factor when consumers make purchasing decisions – particularly among younger generations.
This means that sustainability should be a top priority for any business looking to expand or thrive in the current climate. Here are three simple ways you can make your business more eco-friendly.
Think and Plan in Cycles
Thinking of your business in a cyclical rather than linear way can help minimize both physical and abstract waste, which not only improves productivity and increases profit but also has environmental benefits. Take a look at your current systems and identify areas where there’s clear waste or issues around inefficiency. Is there another way you can organize your processes to remove this waste or improve efficiency?
When purchasing technology, tools and equipment for your business, opt for sustainable designs wherever possible. For example, you can make production and manufacturing more eco-friendly by investing in industrial products and solutions that are environmentally compliant, such as those offered by RS Americas.
Go Digital
Despite living in a digital age, many businesses are still relying on physical materials by default. Whether that’s marketing materials such as brochures and flyers or internal paperwork such as invoices, resumés and wage slips, there continues to be an over-reliance on paper in many sectors, which can lead to excess waste.
Fully embracing digital processes reduces costs and the demand for natural resources. Where it isn’t possible to go fully digital, choosing eco-friendly alternatives, such as recycled or recyclable paper can lessen your business’s environmental impact.
Remote Working
Many businesses switched to remote working during the pandemic, proving that in most sectors, remote working is a viable alternative with numerous benefits for both businesses and their employees.
Switching (or returning) to remote working can help lower the carbon footprint of your business as it means your team don’t need to travel to an office or physical premises to do their job. This reduces the emissions from cars and public transport. Remote working also cuts CO2 emissions by removing the energy usage required in an office, such as all-day heating and lighting, lowering your business’ running costs and decreasing energy demand.
CO2 emissions are one of the main contributors to climate change, which is responsible for extreme weather and an increase in natural disasters, such as floods, droughts and cyclones. That’s why it’s critical that we all play our part in trying to reduce our carbon footprint, both individually and collectively.
Where fully remote isn’t an option, hybrid working can offer some of the same benefits to businesses, workers and the environment.
