Green Business Practices: Sustainability Initiatives for Your Business
Let’s get real, the importance of sustainability in business cannot be overstated.
From reducing carbon emissions to promoting social equity and preserving natural resources, businesses play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future.
In this blog, we'll delve into key practices and innovative strategies for businesses of all sizes to integrate sustainability into their operations, drive positive change, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected and environmentally conscious world.
These are 3 simple and effective ways you can incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into your business (and beyond)!
Going Paperless
Think of the trees!
Let’s get serious for a second here. First and foremost, becoming a paperless business helps to lessen the demand for paper. The more businesses switch to a paperless model, the less the demand, the less they produce. Now obviously, for a small business such as mine, our carbon footprint compared to a massive corporation is pennies, but I believe in practicing what you preach and leading the change you want to see.
Not only that, but the true cost of using paper is much more than most people realize! The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) data shows that annual carbon monoxide (CO) releases from the pulp and paper industry have increased by approximately 7,000 tonnes since 2010 (Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), 2022). Therefore, not only does using paper contribute to deforestation but the production contributes to the increased and worsening air pollution. So what is the benefit to using paper if it hurts more than it helps?
A few simple ways you can begin going paperless in your business are by:
Using cloud-based software for file management such as Google Suite or Microsoft Office
Using Xero and Hubdoc for paperless bookkeeping and financial reporting
Virtual meetings and communication methods
If you have any questions, especially about Xero or Hubdoc, let’s talk about it!
Energy Conservation
Conserving energy is another way to make your business environmentally sustainable. As a tech-forward business and culture, this is one of our top priorities.
Here are a few simple ways you can help your business conserve energy:
Using energy-efficient lighting and appliances/tools
Ensuring your spaces have proper insulation and weather-sealing
Renewable energy sources
Another great way to help conserve energy is through remote work! A big office space for you and your team costs a lot to rent/own and maintain, but it costs a lot both in money and energy to keep running. By switching to remote work, you allow people to use already established coworking spaces or public workable spaces (e.g. a coffee shop) and will ultimately aid in reducing the overexertion and waste of energy in-office that commonly occur in large office spaces.
Simple structure and culture changes such as remote working, and utilizing energy-efficient lighting and technology, will help create long-term sustainable practices and not only instill them in your business’ values but influence your team to be conscious of their energy usage in their personal life too.
Sustainable Purchasing
Implementing sustainable purchasing practices can significantly reduce your business's environmental impact by selecting products and services that are sourced, produced, and distributed in an environmentally responsible manner.
By prioritising suppliers with strong sustainability credentials, you can ensure that your business supports practices such as responsible resource management, waste reduction, and lower carbon emissions. Sustainable purchasing also encourages the adoption of eco-friendly materials and production methods, which can lead to reduced energy usage, as well as decreased pollution.
What else? Well, by choosing sustainable products, your business can ensure that it connects with like-minded customers, who also value the importance of sustainability and doing our part in ethical consumerism. Ultimately, sustainable purchasing not only benefits the environment but also creates long-term value for your business by fostering resilience, innovation, and positive social impact.
These are just a few of the ways you can operate your business with environmental sustainability in mind. It’s crucial to remember that while sustainable practices such as going paperless, energy conservation and sustainable purchasing will help your business save money long-term, it’s also the right thing to do.
As business owners, we have a duty to our communities, local and global to have a positive impact, and that extends to how we interact with the environment around us and how we use the environment to interact. So be a force for change and be a force for good, be green!