There is a steady rise in the demand for eco-friendly products and services as people become more concerned about the well-being of the planet. This change in consumer behaviour has compelled businesses to become more environmentally sustainable over the past few years. If your business hasn’t yet adopted eco-friendly practices, here are some effective ways to go about it.
Switch to More Sustainable Packaging Options:
Whether you ship your own products or outsource the task to a third-party shipping company, consider using more sustainable packaging materials to reduce the carbon footprint. Eco-friendly packaging options such as biodegradable bubble wrap and cardboard superflat letter boxes made from recycled fibre are now readily available in the market. Ask your logistics partner to join you on the journey towards sustainability and help reduce the waste created by tonnes of discarded packaging materials.
Find Ways to Minimise or Reuse Production Waste:
Instead of looking at the production process linearly, companies should start treating it as a cyclical process. Instead of discarding the production waste, businesses can think of ways to minimise or reuse it. With proper measures, this initiative can increase productivity and reduce manufacturing expenses. At the same time, a more sustainable approach towards production can help you create strong bonds with your customers and the community who know the importance of sustainable measures.
Go Completely Digital:
Even though most companies now have a digital presence, a lot of them still use traditional methods across various processes. By going fully digital, companies can make these processes more transparent and efficient while reducing the usage of natural resources used in the conventional methods. Instead of sending paper bills to the clients, opt for digital invoices that are easy to access. Moreover, with digital operations, it will be easier for your company to monitor the work of every department on a single platform.
Identify Greener Ways to Run Operations:
Every business has a different set of operations, which is why some of the aforementioned changes may not be applicable to several companies. However, it is possible to identify areas where companies can adopt sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact. For example, a truck rental company can switch to electric vehicles instead of continuing their operations with vehicles run on fossil fuels. Similarly, if you are running a real estate business, consider gifting your clients a plant when they buy a home or property. These small changes can make a huge impact.
Start a Takeback Program:
A takeback program is a great initiative to reduce waste generated by the products of the same company. A lot of global companies have already started such programs to minimise the environmental impact caused by their products. In such initiatives, businesses encourage their customers to return used products instead of throwing them away. These used products can later be reused or recycled by the companies. Also, this practice helps conserve raw materials and reduce environmental damage. Popular electronic goods manufacturer Samsung runs a similar program, which is expected to reach 180 countries by 2030.
Consider Working Remotely:
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that a majority of businesses can function well in a remote working environment. Quite naturally, it may not be ideal for several businesses. In such cases, they can facilitate remote work for certain departments that can function effectively from anywhere in the world. For instance, the digital marketing team can set up team meetings online and execute projects online. They do not need to come to the office every day. By facilitating remote work, you can reduce the carbon footprints your employees leave when they move around for work.
Conclusion
With consumers becoming increasingly aware of issues like climate change and sustainability, businesses need to minimise their environmental impact to stay relevant in this competitive market. While most companies have started adopting eco-friendly practices, some may need to change their whole business model to fit into this criteria.
