Sustainability is a term that’s become common currency in recent years. It seems that for consumers and public institutions, and therefore companies of all sizes, it has never been more important to be green. For business, sustainability isn’t just an ethical concern, but a commercial one. Customers are becoming ever more aware of the environmental impact of their practices and purchases and are therefore increasingly more disposed to spend money with businesses who share their values.
But what does sustainability mean in practice, and how can businesses make their operations more sustainable to keep up with the rise of the eco-friendly consumer?
Put simply, any business which operates in a way that could be continued indefinitely without negatively impacting the natural world could be claimed as a sustainable business. In practice, this means making several significant changes.
Waste Production
The more waste that your business is generating, the worse it is for the environment. After all, materials that go unused are solely polluting, while energy that is wasted could be repurposed to drive greater productivity. Any kind of waste is an indicator that your business is mismanaging natural resources, and likely has a high monetary as well as environmental cost.
A sustainable business will find a way to make use of its physical waste, and to reduce the amount of waste it creates in the first place. Some of the world’s leading global brands have started embracing recycled materials to create new products, paving the way with repurposing waste and recognising the need for eco-mindedness in mainstream consumerism.
Going Renewable
If your business is being powered by foreign gas and oil, then it can hardly be said to be sustainable. This is true in terms of the environment but also in terms of the unreliability of the energy supply. Limited and expensive fossil fuel resources is a worldwide trend that seems set to stay for the foreseeable future following the Covid-19 pandemic and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Although a transition to green energy will likely take significant investment, both in terms of cash and time, look to see how much of your operations can be conducted using alternative power. For example, you could seek to use sustainable energy sources like air source heat pumps or solar panels to generate more power on your premises even if you still need to rely on fossil fuels in the main. There are other small steps you can make to minimising the environmental impact of your business such as reviewing opportunities to reduce wasted water and electricity. Often big changes can be seen as a result of something as simple as installing a low-flow dual flush toilet, fitting energy-efficient bulbs, and encouraging staff to turn off equipment when not in use.
Being Responsible
Sustainability doesn’t just mean keeping your own business in order: it also means being selective when choosing who to collaborate with. Analyse your supply chain and do what you can to detach yourself from irresponsible and non-eco companies. Putting sustainability at the core of your decisions like this will eventually lead to a supportive network of similarly-minded companies that work together to ensure that your product is as eco-friendly as possible, from the materials used in its manufacture to how it is transported to the consumer.
Customers are becoming increasingly wise to ‘greenwashing’ practices, whereby businesses pretend to be greener than they really are. If you want to win them over, the best approach is definitely to walk the walk as well as talking the talk.
