Now more than ever, consumers are asking businesses to play a role in the fight against climate change, and whether you’re a butcher, a dentist, or a recruitment agent, there are lots of things that you can do to make a difference. Below, we’ve put together some of our recommendations to give you a head start…
Design an eco-friendly office
When did you last take a look around your office? There are lots of simple ways to create a greener space, from installing motion-sensor LED lightbulbs to avoid wasting energy, to introducing recycling bins so that cardboard, paper, and glass can be separated. You can also add some houseplants to your office space to improve the air quality and add some colour, and installing a water tank will encourage staff to A) drink more water at work and B) avoid nipping to the shops for pre-packaged drinks like bottled water and Diet Coke.
Read also: How to make your digital business more environmentally-friendly
Travel to work differently
Another simple change that your employees can make to improve your company’s green credentials is to walk or bike to work. Rather than everyone coming to work on their own in a car, getting people on their feet will reduce carbon emissions and also benefit their physical and mental health in the process. If they do have to drive to work, then consider public transport or carpooling to reduce the number of cars in the car park. You could even introduce a salary sacrifice scheme to help staff buy new bicycles.
Look at your suppliers
It’s all well and good making positive changes to your business in-house, but if the suppliers and partners that you work with aren’t eco-friendly, your hard work will have been in vain. Ask each of your suppliers about the things they’re doing to protect the environment and don’t be afraid to shop around if they can’t offer what you need. Going green across the supply chain will give your organisation more credibility.
Repair rather than replace
Every year, millions of tonnes of e-waste is created around the world, as businesses and consumers throw away their old smartphones, printers, and laptops in favour of new ones. When something goes wrong with your device, the chances are that you check the warranty and then proceed to replace it – especially if it was cheap in the first place. Instead, we recommend working with a company that offers computer repairs in Barnsley – repairing your laptops and PCs means that you won’t lose any important data, and your devices will gain an extra couple of years of life. Small changes like this can also benefit your company’s bottom line.
Ask customers for their thoughts
Your customers are your brand’s biggest ambassadors, so getting them involved in your transition towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable business makes sense. Ask them for their thoughts on new packaging, give them a questionnaire to ask about changing your distribution practices, and make sure that they’re involved at every step of the way. Not only will their great ideas help you become more efficient and eco-friendly, but they’ll feel even more invested in your brand knowing that you listen to what they have to say.
Do you have any tips on going green as a small business? Let us know and check back soon for the latest!