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“Go green or go home!” If you’re an entrepreneur, you might have heard this. But if you’re an environmentalist, you most definitely have!
The world as we know it is on the verge of being doomed. Pollution, consumerism, deforestation, and various other factors have brought the world to the brink of irreversible damage. Countless efforts of NGOs and NPOs have helped slow down the rate at which the world deteriorates. However, the rate of damage dealt is already too high. Alongside pollution, another factor that adds to it is environmentally maleficent businesses. Small businesses, such as startups, may think their operations don’t affect Mother Earth. But that may not be the case.
Businesses contribute most to pollution of all sorts, regardless of their size. Socially aware consumers have started to boycott organizations that add hugely to the already existing heap of environmental contaminants. With the increase in awareness of climate change and related problems, people have become socially responsible. In turn, this has led to customers reevaluating their buying habits. The ultimate goal is sustainability, which is why consumers, irrespective of their age and gender, support eco-friendly businesses and choose to buy from them.
Listed below are steps through which businesses can achieve sustainability by becoming environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint.
Waste management
Indecorous waste management is undoubtedly one of the most prominent contributing factors to environmental hazards – be it recyclable or not. By leaving workplaces with reusable goods to collect dust, companies add to the scrap. Being a tedious task, most organizations don’t bother paying heed to it. Fortunately, commercial Junk removal companies can help you get rid of all the office equipment you won’t need anymore. Not only is this a good step to save the environment, but it also helps keep the workplace clean and safe for employees.
Agile working & green transportation
In the 21st century, working from home has become the norm. Companies choose to let their employees work from wherever they may feel comfortable and be efficient. As a result, this has led to a better work-life balance and, more importantly, a massive decrease in carbon emissions and footprint. Remote working allows more time to be saved that otherwise goes wasted by commuting from home to work. Moreover, companies benefit from this as they don’t have to spend as much on HVAC systems and other operational expenses. Business income rises as the cost of running the business goes down.
However, some jobs do require being at the office because of the gravity of the work. The most environmentally sound way to travel to work is via public transit in South Florida or carpooling. Both options help reduce the production of greenhouse gases to a great extent and take up less space on the roads, meaning lesser vehicles and minimal noise pollution. Or walking- if the office is close by.
Use sustainable products and packaging
Materials provided by companies, like toilet rolls and printing paper, are usually the most utilized items in the workplace. Deforestation takes a toll on the environment in providing us with these materials. A brilliant alternative to these is recycled toilet rolls and paper made from pre-or post-consumer waste, respectively. Using organic products in the workplace can decrease toxins and harmful ingredients in water flows and landfills.
The packaging of products is perhaps the most eye-catching yet the most useless feature. According to packaging company Trivium Packaging, 74% of customers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. That goes to show how much of a difference eco-friendly packaging can make. Cardboard packaging has been a good alternative for a while. It decreases wastage and allows recycling. However, the most viable option is compostable packaging. Once consumers have no use of the material, they can leave it to decompose into the soil. With a growing market in compostable packaging from customizable coasters to compostable bags, switching is a great idea for your business.
Save money: go thrift shopping
Opting for brand new office furniture and equipment costs you not only an arm and a leg, but it also pollutes the environment. The production of brand-new goods requires extraction and compilation of materials, alongside a great deal of energy, electricity, and fuel. Instead, buying pre-owned goods kept in usable condition can help avoid the labor and usage of raw materials to construct new ones. Moreover, the used furniture and equipment will not be wasted and will not add to the already existing landfill sites. Used goods can also be antique and vintage, adding a touch of class to the workplace.
The 3 Rs of waste management: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
What is the solution to keeping landfill sites as empty as possible? The 3 Rs. By following the 3 Rs, landfill sites get minimal waste material. However, to ensure that – the order of the 3 Rs is crucial.
Reducing the usage of single-use items is the first and foremost step to reducing wastage. However, that may not always be possible. Hence, reusing items can help slow down the wastage process. For example, reusing cartons and resources to the maximum allows complete utilization of supplies. Last comes recycling. When it’s impossible to either reduce or reuse, recycling can help keep landfills clear. Through recycling, the production of new, reusable goods can make the same waste come in handy.
Invest in carbon offsets
To the layperson, this term may sound confusing. When reducing the carbon footprint further seems impracticable, buying carbon offsets helps businesses become socially responsible and environmentally friendly. Through carbon offsets, companies can compensate for emanations produced in other departments or procedures of the business. By doing so, companies do their bit in nurturing the environment alongside operating. From setting up plants for renewable energy to planting trees, there are numerous carbon reduction projects in which businesses can invest and prove that they’re eco-friendly.
Work with sustainable businesses
Businesses that strongly believe in lowering their carbon footprint can be found all over the world. Working with a sustainable business can result in an overall lower emission of carbon. Moreover, working with these businesses ensures the usage of reusable and recyclable materials, resulting in minimal wastage.
Composting
Unquestionably the best solution to the eradication of waste material, compost packaging, and programs allows for the creation of soil through the collection of compostable waste material. For example, fruit peels are usually thrown into trash cans and end up in landfills. A better alternative would be to collect all the biodegradable waste material your business produces and convert them into compost. Instead of forming greenhouse gases and toxins, these materials will turn into nutrient-rich soil used in gardens and parks. You can choose to sell the soil for extra cash or use it appropriately at your office premises.
Conclusion
Going green is the future. If upcoming and existing businesses do not move towards becoming environmentally sound, they will become a part of the past. The crucial tips mentioned above are bound to make any and every business a sustainable one. Every company has a role to play, and the journey will be one to remember. Only through combined efforts and awareness can sustainability be achieved.
You may also like: Why Sustainability Is More Than Just A Buzzword In Business
Image source: Pixabay.com
