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How businesses can use tech to cut their carbon footprint.

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In the past few years, the conversation around climate change and sustainability has grown too loud to ignore.As natural disasters grip the planet and politicians and protestors grapple with climate change, sustainability has transformed from a niche issue to a critical concern for businesses – as well as consumers.For small business owners, the hardest part can be managing costs and simply getting started. But author and senior professor of sustainability science at Lund University Kimberly Nicholas recommends starting small and staying accountable.&nbsp;&nbsp;And although there are many small steps that businesses can take to improve their environmental footprint – from switching to energy-efficient office equipment to ditching single-use plastic bags – new technological innovations have the potential to make a more dramatic impact (not to mention offering increased cost savings).Below, we’ve rounded up some of the newest and most exciting tech innovations in the sustainability space for retailers, suppliers and producers, fashion and beauty brands, and salons.<h2>For retailers</h2><h2>Reduce returns with AR and 3D&nbsp;</h2>In the wake of the pandemic, e-commerce sales have exploded, but a new issue is emerging just as fast – online returns. For retailers, dealing with unwanted merchandise is costly and time-consuming, not to mention environmentally unsustainable.&nbsp;Augmented reality (AR) is one innovation that can be used to reduce returns as it offers shoppers the chance to ‘test’ how products fit or look virtually - that and that way they’re less likely to return their purchase. Platforms and apps like<a href="https://www.plattar.com/augmented-reality-platform-solutions/?gclid=CjwKCAiAg6yRBhBNEiwAeVyL0CN037RaPKUHv2H_wSsgM11wSf9oaQ6DqsT06BtrhvImSpqPDtz7XxoCQ_kQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.plattar.com/augmented-reality-platform-solutions/?gclid=CjwKCAiAg6yRBhBNEiwAeVyL0CN037RaPKUHv2H_wSsgM11wSf9oaQ6DqsT06BtrhvImSpqPDtz7XxoCQ_kQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Plattar</a> or<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/holome/id1454364021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/holome/id1454364021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">HoloMe</a> (which is used by<a href="https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/07/hands-asos-virtual-catwalk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/07/hands-asos-virtual-catwalk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">ASOS for their virtual catwalk</a>) make it easy for businesses offering everything from fashion to homewares to integrate AR or 3D into their sales strategy.<h2>Reward customers who don’t return</h2>Another way to reduce returns is to reward customers who choose not to return items.<a href="https://www.onfleekrewards.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.onfleekrewards.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">On Fleek</a> is an innovative platform that rewards consumers with points every time they shop without returning. These points can then be redeemed as gift cards or used to plant a tree. The innovation platform currently partners with the likes of Net‑a‑Porter and Farfetch.&nbsp;<h2>Encourage resale and monetise the re-commerce</h2>Retailers that are serious about sustainability are increasingly looking to join the ‘circular economy’.As sustainability consultant and Cool Planet director Daniel Harper explains, this is “essentially a ‘no waste’ business model. We want to move away from buying a product, using it once and then getting rid of it – even if it is recycled, as recycling still has environmental impacts and, the truth is, only a percentage of what’s thrown into ‘recycling’ gets recycled.”One way for retailers to participate in the circular economy is to encourage resale by partnering with innovations such as<a href="https://www.thredup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.thredup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">thredUP</a>, which offers resale-as-a-service.&nbsp;Another option? Enable a plugin such as<a href="https://airrobe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://airrobe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">AirRobe</a>, which allows consumers to add to their ‘circular wardrobe’ by storing the purchase details of an item so it can be easily resold at a later date.<h2>Switch to e-receipts</h2>Still printing receipts? More and more businesses are doing away with paper receipts and moving to e-receipts to save on paper and costs (emailing receipts also makes it easier for customers to keep track of purchases and offers an opportunity to build your email list). Point-of-sale innovation platforms, such as<a href="https://squareup.com/gb/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://squareup.com/gb/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Square</a> provide e-receipts as well as a multitude of other tools.<h2>Make the change to high-tech packaging</h2>Packaging is a major driver of waste within the retail industry, and businesses that are serious about sustainability should look at alternatives to single-use plastics.&nbsp;Global sustainable packaging company<a href="https://groundedpackaging.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://groundedpackaging.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Grounded</a>, for example, offers innovative home-compostable, 100-per-cent recycled PE and plant-based recyclable packaging, while other suppliers, such as<a href="https://heropackaging.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://heropackaging.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Hero Packaging</a> and<a href="http://noissue.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="http://noissue.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">noissue</a>, offer everything from eco-friendly tags, tissue and tape.<h2>For brands that create their own products</h2>

<h2>Aim for accurate demand forecasting&nbsp;</h2>Reduce overproduction (and curb carbon emissions and waste) by using demand-forecasting technology to accurately predict how much stock is needed.<a href="https://www.board.com/en/retail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Board</a>, for example, provides business intelligence and predictive analytics;<a href="http://demandworks.com/lp-forecasting-software/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="http://demandworks.com/lp-forecasting-software/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">DemandWorks</a> also offers multiple forecasting plans to suit varying budgets.<h2>Switch to virtual samples&nbsp;</h2>The traditional pattern-making and design process, involving fabric samples and prototypes, can lead to unnecessary waste. However, a new generation of digital tools takes the whole design process online.&nbsp;End-to-end software programme<a href="https://optitex.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://optitex.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Optitex</a> allows brands to create true-to-life 3D prototypes, while 3D-modelling tool<a href="https://www.foundry.com/products/modo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.foundry.com/products/modo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Modo</a> is used by brands such as<a href="https://www.newbalance.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a>s<a href="https://www.newbalance.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.newbalance.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">New Balance</a>.<h2>Trace your supply chain with tech</h2>You can’t manage what you don’t measure, which is why digital tools like<a href="https://sourcemap.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://sourcemap.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Sourcemap</a> are so important, as they help businesses map their end-to-end supply chain – from raw material to finished product – and identify and improve the environmental footprint of each stage.“Entire lifecycle analysis of a product is important,” explains Harper, “from how the materials are grown to how it’s shipped, to what the consumer does with the product once they’re finished.”<h2>Communicate your eco-credentials&nbsp;</h2>It’s one thing to make your products or service more sustainable, and another thing to communicate this clearly to your customers. Technology such as<a href="https://www.provenance.org/solutions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.provenance.org/solutions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Provenance</a>&nbsp;allows you to easily turn complex supply-chain data into credible shopper-facing communications. It easily highlights products that are carbon neutral or feature recyclable packaging, for example.&nbsp;<h2>Manufacture with next-gen materials</h2>Organic natural fibres have long been preferred by conscious brands. However, scientists are increasingly experimenting with high-tech fabrications that require even less energy and water to produce – and forward-thinking fashion and beauty brands are keeping a close eye on this technology.&nbsp;For example,<a href="https://boltthreads.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://boltthreads.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Bolt Threads</a> uses natural sources to create sustainable materials such as<a href="https://boltthreads.com/technology/mylo/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://boltthreads.com/technology/mylo/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Mylo</a>™, which is derived from mycelium (the underground root structure of mushrooms) and is a leather-like material, as well as<a href="https://boltthreads.com/technology/microsilk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://boltthreads.com/technology/microsilk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Microsilk</a>™, a vegan silk that is used by designer Stella McCartney. Similarly,<a href="https://www.renewcell.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a>Swedish company <a href="https://www.renewcell.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Renewcell</a> has developed a material called<a href="https://circulo.se/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://circulo.se/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Circulose</a>®, which is made from 100-per-cent textile waste and scraps.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>For salon owners</h2>

<h2>Consider waterless products</h2>Currently, one of the biggest trends in beauty is waterless products, and brands like<a href="https://susteau.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://susteau.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Susteau</a> are ‘reimagining haircare’ by creating powder-to-liquid formulas that reduce the water in the bottle, as well as energy and materials across the entire supply chain.&nbsp;<h2>Switch to sustainable hair foils</h2>Salons create industry-specific waste, including foils from hair treatments. One way to cut carbon emissions is to opt for recycled foils, such as<a href="https://www.papernotfoil.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.papernotfoil.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Paper Not Foil</a>, paper hair foils made from 100-per-cent recycled industrial scraps and degrades. They’re reusable, compostable and available in Australia, the UK and US.<h2>Reduce all salon waste – especially chemical&nbsp;</h2>Salons generate plenty of chemical waste, and it’s important to be mindful of the chemicals going down the drain, such as ammonia, formaldehyde, and polyethylene glycols (PEGs).&nbsp;<h2>For food and beverage</h2>

<h2>Consider compostable plates and cutlery&nbsp;</h2>Using compostable and biodegradable plates, cutlery and containers is one of the key ways food and beverage businesses can become more sustainable.&nbsp;&nbsp;One of the better-known global brands is<a href="https://www.biopak.com/au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.biopak.com/au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Bio-Pak</a>, which offers a wide range of biodegradable and compostable packaging, as well as custom-printed options. Wooden cutlery has the added benefit of being home compostable.&nbsp;When choosing suppliers, “It’s important to understand that there is a difference between degradable and biodegradable – degradable just makes plastics into microplastics. You want products that completely break down,” explains Harper.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With bans on single-use cutlery being considered in the UK, switching to compostable options is an important step for food and beverage businesses.<h2>Find a solution to food scraps</h2>“For the food and beverage industry, reducing food waste and composting is one of the key things to focus on,” continues Harper. Composting, in particular, is one of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in landfill.In the UK, more and more local councils are collecting food waste and composting: Head to<a href="https://getcomposting.com/en-gb/profile/login" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://getcomposting.com/en-gb/profile/login" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Get Composting</a> to get yourself started.<h2>Sell your surplus food…&nbsp;</h2>It’s estimated that between<a href="https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/faqs#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20food,percent%20of%20the%20food%20supply." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"> 30 to 40 percent of the entire food supply in the US is wasted per year</a>. That’s why apps such as<a href="https://toogoodtogo.org/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://toogoodtogo.org/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Too Good To Go</a>, available in the<a href="https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">UK</a> and<a href="https://toogoodtogo.com/en-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://toogoodtogo.com/en-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">US</a>, allow businesses to list their surplus food for clients to find at a reduced price. Not only do you monetise your surplus food and sell more, but you are likely to find new and recurring customers.<h2>Or give it away&nbsp;</h2><a href="https://foodrescue.us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Food Rescue US</a> uses a web-based app to connect volunteers to local businesses with fresh food surpluses. The volunteers then transfer the food to social service agencies who feed community members. The app gives time, date and availability information to make it easy for all parties.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the UK, you can donate surplus food to<a href="https://www.ukharvest.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.ukharvest.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">UKHarvest</a> and achieve the same result. Rather than letting anything go to waste, by donating you help the environment and people who might otherwise go without.&nbsp;

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How emerging tech can help reduce your eco footprint

Read our guide to 17 new tech innovations to help your business with sustainability

Sustainability innovations: 17 new tech innovations for business sustainability

Top tech innovations to supercharge your sustainability goals UK

Taking care of business increasingly means taking care of the planet.

Today, <a href="https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/EXK4XKX8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;">six in 10</a> consumers factor environmental sustainability into their purchasing decisions, and more than <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/the%20state%20of%20fashion%202020%20navigating%20uncertainty/the-state-of-fashion-2020-final.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;">two-thirds of Millennials</a> have purchased a product with an environmental benefit in the past year.As a result, more and more businesses are looking at ways to improve their environmental footprint.&nbsp;If that’s you, there’s one important thing to remember, warns Alison Taylor, the executive director of<a href="https://www.ethicalsystems.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.ethicalsystems.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">Ethical Systems</a>, and an adjunct professor at the New York University Stern School of Business.

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"Don't claim to be saving the world when all you do is make it a tiny bit less bad.”

“Customers can tell when you’re greenwashing. Companies need to be careful that they are not claiming that these things will save the world when all they do is make it a tiny bit less bad.”Luckily, introducing authentic, impactful sustainable and environmental practices doesn’t need to be difficult. “Small businesses can start small,” says Rebecca Lake, a sustainability and communications consultant who has advised the United Nations. “There’s no point getting overwhelmed by everything that you could or should be doing, that can be paralysing!”We’ve compiled 22 easy-to-implement environmental ideas – for your office, shop or salon, for warehousing and for production facilities.&nbsp;<h3>In store</h3>

<h3>1. Reusable bags</h3>Offering customers reusable bags is a great environmental way to reduce your business' waste while promoting your small business. Companies such as<a href="https://www.carrye.com.au/products?gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6_IF4WFKMGa_kfNDECO2Tk2Zjtw_xsfs6j5TnTsFAtS4lcOM0V5GMhZWtRoCyYsQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> Carrye</a> manufacture 100 per cent compostable, eco-friendly bags that can be personalised for a fee. And<a href="https://www.flashbay.com.au/tote-bags?device=c&amp;device_model=&amp;network=g&amp;campaign=australia1-optm-bag&amp;adgroup=custom&amp;keyword=custom%20reusable%20bags&amp;matchtype=e&amp;loc_user=9071822&amp;loc_int=&amp;campaignid=14050179762&amp;adgroupid=128079328680&amp;keywordid=kwd-9164942597&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6_IF4bFFLp4QPgxh70P3w6AiIM9CQfy473Oxx_OOMj2fK7rpCO4lHlA0dBoC2YMQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.flashbay.com.au/tote-bags?device=c&amp;device_model=&amp;network=g&amp;campaign=australia1-optm-bag&amp;adgroup=custom&amp;keyword=custom%20reusable%20bags&amp;matchtype=e&amp;loc_user=9071822&amp;loc_int=&amp;campaignid=14050179762&amp;adgroupid=128079328680&amp;keywordid=kwd-9164942597&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6_IF4bFFLp4QPgxh70P3w6AiIM9CQfy473Oxx_OOMj2fK7rpCO4lHlA0dBoC2YMQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Flashbay</a> makes environmental canvas tote bags with your company’s name on them. <h2>2. Green transport</h2>“Consider providing incentives for staff who ride bikes or take public transport to work,” said Lake. Your business might begin by moving their start times to later in the day to avoid peak hour.<h2>3. Give customers a chance to give back</h2>This is a simple and empowering way to connect to customers, whether it’s contributing to the business’ favourite eco charity or scoring a discount for bringing in their own bag. There are even platforms such as<a href="https://www.iequalchange.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.iequalchange.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">i=change</a>, which will facilitate the donation and allow customers to select the charity of their choice.<h2>4. Offer product refills</h2>If you sell food, cleaning supplies or other refillable products, consider creating a refill station in the shop. This is an environmental idea that can work for salons too. “I love this one and don’t know why more salons aren’t doing it,” says Lake. “It’s a great way to increase traffic, too. If I’m getting a refill, I may as well also treat myself to a blow dry, too!”<h3>In the salon</h3>

<h2>5. Recycling</h2>Hairdressing salons generate very specific types of waste, from hair to metal (from foils) and chemical waste. Speak to your local council and learn exactly how and where you can recycle these products. If in doubt, reach out to an industry body such as<a href="https://sustainablesalons.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://sustainablesalons.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sustainable Salons</a>, which recycles a range of salon-specific waste, and is a major charitable collector of ponytails (which are recycled to make wigs for people with cancer or alopecia).<h2>6. Towel washing/ biodegradable linens</h2>“Many people aren’t aware of the impact textile fibres can have on waterways,” said Lake. However, there are numerous businesses that specialise in compostable linen or washing towels in an eco-friendly manner.&nbsp;<h3>In production/ manufacture</h3> <h2>7. Blockchain</h2>Blockchain is loosely defined as a database that can store transaction records and other encrypted information, making it difficult to hack or corrupt. This set-up allows for greater transparency. For example,<a href="http://foodtrax.pk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="http://foodtrax.pk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Foodtrax</a> is a blockchain app that allows users to track food from ‘farm to fork’.<a href="https://www.provenance.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.provenance.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Provenance</a> is another blockchain app that makes supply chains more transparent.

“Blockchain will change the game of supply‑chain transparency and traceability.”

“The technology isn’t quite ready yet, but this is definitely a space to watch,” said Lake. “Blockchain will change the game in terms of supply‑chain transparency and traceability.” But she cautions entrepreneurs to be mindful about relying on sustainability standards and various certifications. “Do your homework on this; it’s easy to tick a box with a certified seal, but the reality with global supply chains is they are complex, so be sure to ask your suppliers lots of questions.&nbsp;<h2>8. Source low-impact material</h2>From the materials used to create your product to the packaging that encases it, it’s important to choose low-impact, environmental options, opting for cotton over polyester and recycled packaging over single-use bags, for example. For a guide on which textiles are low impact, go to the<a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=Global+Organic+Textile+Standard&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=Global+Organic+Textile+Standard&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Global Organic Textile Standard</a> (GOTS), which has a clearly defined set of criteria.<h2>9. Repurposing off cuts</h2>Repurposing unused or scrap material instead of dumping it is an important way to minimise textile waste. It doesn’t have to be complex either. Eco friendly clothing brand<a href="https://milonicki.com/products/zero-waste-tassel-earrings?variant=15378928336970" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://milonicki.com/products/zero-waste-tassel-earrings?variant=15378928336970" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Milo + Nicki</a> have a ‘zero waste’ section on their site, selling earrings, bags and hair accessories that have been made out of their off cuts. It’s also possible to buy offcuts – or ‘dead stock’ – from other brands.<h2>10. Shipping not flying</h2>Switching from airfreight to shipping is a major way to reduce business emissions. One <a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/dc1d/e27351077bd5769585a8ab431490c651f67e.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">study</a> by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, found that two tonnes of freight carried for 5,000km by a small container ship creates 150kg of carbon dioxide (CO2e) – compared to 6,605kg of CO2e if the freight is carried by plane for the same distance.&nbsp;Lake believes it will take some serious strategising because not all ships use the same oil. It also requires greater organisation and wait time, due to the lengthier shipping times. If you are in the fashion industry, switching to shipping may mean offering two seasons per year instead of four. Visit<a href="https://www.sustainableshipping.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> </a><a href="https://www.sustainableshipping.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">The Sustainable Shipping Initiative</a> for more information.

"Educate your customers and they will support you."

On the plus side, if you market your business in this way, the customers you want will follow. “Educate your consumers on why you are doing this, and they will support you. Keeping up with ‘trends’ is a fast-fashion game, which isn’t sustainable. It encourages over consumption and waste.”&nbsp;<h2>11. Offset delivery</h2>Carbon offsetting is an emerging opportunity for businesses to compensate for their emissions. Consider using an environmental delivery partner like <a href="https://www.sendle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sendle</a>, which sends every parcel 100 per cent carbon neutral at no extra cost. Sendle offsets the carbon emissions caused by parcel delivery by investing in positive environmental initiatives, like forest protection around the world. <h2>12. Produce locally</h2>There are numerous benefits to producing locally – not only does it reduce carbon emissions but having direct oversight over production facilities can ensure that workers are treated fairly.Lake believes that sustainable fashion is a new and exciting pathway forward for designers and consumers alike, with the potential to take us back to the way things used to be made – from globalised, mass-produced fast fashion, to local, artisanal pieces that can be treasured for a lifetime.<h2>13. Made to order</h2>One way to reduce environmental wastage is to switch your small business to a made-to-order model for all products or even just selected items. Once seen as the preserve of haute couture, the made-to-order model has been adopted by a new generation of fashion designers. Today, designers like Prabal Gurung attribute 20 to 25 per cent of their business model to made-to-order garments.<h2>14. Natural dyes and textiles</h2>“Worldwide, river systems are being polluted, running fluoro pink and yellow with chemical run-off from nearby garment manufacturers. The same is true for processes like leather tanning, which is<a href="https://theecologist.org/2012/oct/26/toxic-chemicals-used-leather-production-poisoning-indias-tannery-workers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> poisoning workers in India</a>,” says Lake. “This cannot continue. More investment in R&amp;D for ‘nature’ dyes and plant-based materials is needed, although these products are increasingly becoming available and more affordable for B2B consumers.” Local alternatives include<a href="https://www.vegethreads.com/pages/fabric-and-dyes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.vegethreads.com/pages/fabric-and-dyes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">vegethreads</a>,<a href="https://fabricofhumanity.com/collections/natural-dye-kit?gclid=CjwKCAjwlcaRBhBYEiwAK341jc3klMHkvf1dtGrMfx8og7b2P9SXNYXf8bWWrjYSqsvP3mI83Ra8ehoCVYoQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://fabricofhumanity.com/collections/natural-dye-kit?gclid=CjwKCAjwlcaRBhBYEiwAK341jc3klMHkvf1dtGrMfx8og7b2P9SXNYXf8bWWrjYSqsvP3mI83Ra8ehoCVYoQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Fabric of Humanity</a> and <a href="https://tintex.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Tintex</a>.<h3>In your office&nbsp;</h3>

<h2>15. Go paperless</h2>It’s easier than it sounds, says Lake. “There are heaps of awesome apps like<a href="https://www.box.com/en-au/resources/downloads" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.box.com/en-au/resources/downloads" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Box</a>,<a href="https://evernote.com/download" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://evernote.com/download" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Evernote</a>,<a href="https://www.expensify.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.expensify.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Expensify</a> and<a href="https://www.docusign.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.docusign.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Docusign</a> that can help get small businesses sorted. While this won’t require a massive financial investment, it can be time consuming, so set aside some regular time in your calendar to set up a digital paperless system.” The good news? Sustainable solutions often end up offering cost savings, too.<h2>16. Remote working</h2>While remote working might not be feasible for every job or industry, it can significantly curb small business emissions. Research from the<a href="https://www.iea.org/about/mission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.iea.org/about/mission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">International Energy Agency (IEA)</a> found that if everybody able to work from home worldwide did so for just one day a week, it would save approximately one per cent of global oil consumption for road passenger transport per year.<h2>17. Reusable kitchenware – and gift your staff reusables&nbsp;</h2>Reduce plastic waste by stocking your staff kitchen with reusable plates, cups and cutlery. You could even go one step further and gift your small business' employees with reusable kitchenware. “This not only encourages behaviour change among your employees, [but] creates ripple effects beyond your business, among [worker's] families and local communities, too,” says Lake.<h2>18. Review your energy use</h2>“A first step is to simply start monitoring your energy use – you might be surprised which appliances are absorbing the most amount of power,” says Lake. Start by typing in the brand, model type and number of hours you use it into an energy rating website like<a href="https://www.techadvisor.com/how-to/appliances/what-do-your-appliances-cost-3780330/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> Tech Advisor</a>.

"Switch to energy-efficient appliances."

“This way you can work to become more efficient with your energy consumption, like switching off fridges and computers when they aren’t in use; switch to energy-efficient appliances, and open windows and doors instead of using air conditioning. All of this adds up and makes an impact. It also reduces your small business' energy bill – so it’s a win-win!”You can also use cut-out switches to cut standby power usage, change to LED lights (which use 75 per cent less energy) and sign up to a green energy provider.<h2>19. Leave the air conditioner alone</h2>“Lowering the temperature of the air conditioner by just one degree on a hot day can increase energy costs by 10 per cent,” says O’ Mara. Instead, make T-shirts and comfy light-weight clothes acceptable on Casual Fridays or when you’ve just come back from summer holidays.<h2>20. Recycling and composting</h2>Create clear signs about what can and cannot go in different bins, and provide training to staff and get their buy-in.Ensure that recycling stations are set up in places where staff will use them, and consider looking beyond everyday waste, perhaps encouraging staff to recycle clothes and books. “Ask staff to bring in books or clothes to a ‘swap day’ or to an office library in the lunchroom,” says O’Mara.<h2>21. Cloud computing</h2>The other benefit to going paperless is that it reduces server needs and cuts power costs, too. Put simply cloud computing means ‘renting’ data space online or through apps, so it is in the shareable ‘cloud’ as opposed to buying software, hardware, storage and servers. Google docs is an example of this, where multiple team members can work on one document.<h2>22. Refill where possible</h2>Get printer cartridges refilled, not replaced, and opt for refillable products, such as hand soap in bathrooms and washing-up liquid in kitchens, wherever possible.

Wondering how to improve your small business sustainability? 

Wondering how to improve your small business sustainability? Read our guide for 22 sustainability tips

Small business sustainability: 22 sustainability tips

 22 ways to make your small business more sustainable UK

The Union Project has spent the past nine years improving its eco credentials. Here’s what it learnt.

Does sustainability come at a cost? For high-street and online fashion retailer<a href="https://www.theunionproject.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.theunionproject.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">The Union Project</a>, the answer was ‘yes’, but the company felt that, whatever the financial price, it couldn’t afford to ignore the environmental impact of the business.“There are massive cost implications [of driving sustainability measures],” Max Shaw, co-founder of the successful clothing retailer says: “But our stance was – and is – that if you’re in business then you’ve got a responsibility to limit your impact on the planet.”Whether it’s the brand’s decision to use paper bags that cost 24p per bag (a whopping 12 times that of plastic bags) or to use recyclable postage labels that cost six times as much as standard glue labels, The Union Project has never baulked.

<h2>Launching a purpose-led business</h2>Shaw, a languages graduate, and his friend Chris Capewell, who studied music, founded the Cheltenham-based clothing store in 2013, when they were both 23.“We were frustrated with what was on offer and wanted to scour the marketplace and offer a timeless capsule wardrobe, with the best white T‑shirt and the best grey hoodie. We knew that if someone spent £45 on a T-shirt rather than £8 it’s better for person and planet,” says Shaw.&nbsp;For Shaw and Capewell, the aim is that by the time that someone visits The Union Project, the hard work of shopping has been done for them, and customers are picking from a choice of heavily curated, good-quality, fairly made products. “We want to offer an easy shopping experience selling better-made products that aren’t garishly branded,” Shaw explains.

"We want to offer an easy experience selling better-made products."

The business has grown from a 30-metre shop in 2013, which they fitted out for £6,500 and funded with the help a government business start-up loan, to a business that employs 20 people and ships worldwide.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Project offers up these tips on sustainability:<h2>Tip 1: Be consistently sustainable through your business</h2>Sustainability runs through every facet of The Union Project. “It’s not just about product or recycling, but ‘who do you use to store your files online?’ ‘Do you use reusable energy for your fuel?’ ‘Who do you bank with?’ We rent property so are pressuring our landlord to engage in renewable energy and will present him with a cost-effective quote for solar panels,” Shaw says.<h2>Tip 2: Tackle sustainability before scaling.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>“This is our chance to drill down so we can scale at comfort,” he goes on to explain. “We want to put things in place now so we can grow with that option rather than becoming a multinational company and then try to claw things back [at a later stage].”<h2>Tip 3: Finding sustainability solutions can take time</h2>One of The Union Project’s biggest successes was moving to 100-per-cent at-home compostable packaging in 2021, but it didn’t happen overnight.

"It took a year to ensure everything we were claiming actually happened."

“It took nearly a year to source the right materials and ensure everything we were claiming actually happened,” Shaw says. “We made sure we had input from independent voices; we went to the standards body to research [potential suppliers’] approaches and understand how and why the material compositions were as outlined. We pushed our potential suppliers to the limit of their knowledge.”It was a confronting process, says Shaw. “It can feel as though you’re questioning a business’ integrity… but once we get past that we often find we forge great relationships, owing to the fact we’re equally as passionate about providing an honest service and cutting through the greenwash.”<h2>Tip 4: Pick your sustainability priorities</h2>Some of the biggest clothing brands that The Union Project stocks include Parra, Aries, and Patagonia.&nbsp;The company evaluates brands for sustainability, examining everything from the founder’s motives to the way employees are treated and where the fabric comes from. Plus, The Union Project has created a corporate social responsibility (CSR) questionnaire that they request every potential supplier complete.&nbsp;Having said that, Shaw says that The Union Project focuses on people, provenance, and purpose rather than fabric certifications, “because there’s no overarching regulator and some certifications may appear to offer more assurance than they do in reality”. Smaller start-ups can also struggle to achieve certification at first.Certifications that Shaw does recommend include the<a href="https://www.fairtradecertified.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.fairtradecertified.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Fair Trade Certified</a> sewn label, the<a href="https://global-standard.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://global-standard.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Global Organic Textile Standard</a> (GOTs) and the<a href="https://textileexchange.org/standards/organic-content-standard/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://textileexchange.org/standards/organic-content-standard/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Organic Cotton Standard</a>. “We [also] have good faith in<a href="https://www.fairwear.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://www.fairwear.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">The Fair Wear Foundation</a>, and<a href="https://wrapcompliance.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </a><a href="https://wrapcompliance.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production</a>, or WRAP.”<h2>Tip 5: Engage and collaborate</h2>“I can’t recommend enough getting engaged in your local community –you’ll be amazed at just how much is already being done by some inspiring people,” says Shaw, who has worked with a range of experts to help measure The Union Project’s carbon footprint.

"You’ll be amazed at how much is already being done by some inspiring people."

As a small business, he believes pooling resources with other brands and experts can be invaluable – and points to the example set by<a href="https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Patagonia</a>, which shared the details of how to produce its natural rubber Yulex with all the big wetsuit brands.The future includes creating a circular economy for everything that passes through The Union Project’s hands says Shaw. “We’re fiercely proud – and certain – that what we sell is fit-for-purpose and will stand the test of time. We want to cement that so people who shop with us can have items repaired or recycled, so, we’re fitting a repair station in-store in April to offer this service.”&nbsp;And he believes Clearpay offers a good – and sustainable – option for customers. “As a business owner I’m very familiar with the peaks and troughs of spending and I know how important spreading costs over bigger payments is for people, when done responsibly.”

From a business that has done just that: The Union Project

The Union Project has spent the past nine years improving its eco credentials. Here's what they learned.

5 tips for building a sustainable fashion business

5 tips to building a successful sustainable business

Five tips to building a successful sustainable business – from a UK brand that has done just that

Kiran Seehra explains how her business found an innovative solution to the florist industry’s environmental challenges.

In the midst of ongoing lockdowns in 2021, Kiran Seehra found hope and inspiration in her customers’ stories.As the founder of preserved flower business <a href="https://www.amarantelondon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Amarante London</a>, she is privy to some of her customers’ happiest moments – from birthdays to anniversaries, new babies to engagements – and during COVID-19 these everyday celebrations were a reprieve from the gloom of lockdowns.“I loved seeing all the wonderful messages that people send, especially during COVID-19 when things were really difficult for everyone. People couldn’t travel but they could still send flowers. It’s a really lovely business to be in."<h2>Make it sustainable</h2>A former financial analyst – and long-time lover of flowers - Seehra launched Amarante in 2019. She came up with the idea after learning about the damaging environmental effects of fresh flowers.

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“Fresh flowers are intensively farmed, [often] in less developed parts of the world, where farmers, unfortunately, are still exploited. And then they tend to be flown around the world a few times [by plane] from wholesaler to wholesaler to retailer… so they come with huge carbon emissions.Her solution? To work with a B-Corp-certified farmer in Ecuador, who supplies roses which are then preserved. “Because we go direct to the farm, we avoid the huge carbon emissions."

People couldn’t travel but they could still send flowers.

Seehra founded Amarante three years ago – and since then the brand has grown to a seven-figure business with dozens of staff.She and Amarante feature in Clearpay’s Make It Your Way series, which celebrates small business owners who are creating businesses of the future, and carving their own path to success.

<h2>Make it sustainable</h2>A former financial analyst – and long-time lover of flowers - Seehra launched Amarante in 2019. She came up with the idea after learning about the damaging environmental effects of fresh flowers.

We go direct to the farm to avoid huge carbon emissions.

Today, Amarante is a zero-waste business, with all bouquets created once they are ordered “so we don’t hold any stock of finished products”.<h2>Make it my way</h2>Seehra admits that building Amarante has been a steep learning curve. “I basically built the business by watching YouTube videos. They have been my source of knowledge on everything!”In the early days, she says her biggest challenge was finding enough hours in the day! “I was basically working around the clock. I was the customer support [person] and the marketing manager and the operations [manager] – and I was having to do all these things I’d never done before.”<h2>Make it customer first</h2>Seehra credits much of her success to Amarante London’s focus on customer service. The business has excellent TrustPilot and Google Reviews, and offers fast, same-day delivery.

Seehra and her team also take a personal approach to customer experience.“With every order that we place, I still send an email to the customer saying thank you. It just genuinely still means that much [to me].”<h2>Make it with Clearpay</h2>Offering Clearpay was an extension of Amarante’s focus on positive customer experience - and Seehra says that a significant proportion of her customers now use Clearpay, which has helped grow average order value.“I think that shopping with services like Clearpay is the norm for young people now and they expect businesses to have it."

Shopping with Clearpay is the norm for young people now. They expect it.

As COVID-19 restrictions recede, Seehra continues to enjoy the optimistic and positive aspects of her floristry business – as well as the fast pace.“It’s very chaotic. Two days here are never the same. You just feel like you’re on adrenaline the whole time. But I enjoy that.”

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When Kiran Seehra launched Amarante London, she was determined to improve the eco footprint of floristry.

When Kiran Seehra launched Amarante London, she was determined to improve the eco footprint of floristry 

Amarante London: Meet a sustainable florist 

The sustainable florist Millennials love 

Make it sustainable: Amarante London

The importance of operating a sustainable business is always relevant. Beyond being good for the planet, sustainable businesses are increasingly outperforming their less-environmentally conscious peers.

Many shoppers have rewarded companies that are doing their part to reduce global warming, although Gen Z consumers challenge and condemn brands which falsely claim these values as part of their DNA (Future Labs).&nbsp;

Being a sustainable business can seem challenging for retailers with smaller footprints. After all, they may have less control over supply chain partners or logistics. But any business can take simple steps to reduce their environmental impact for generations to come. Actions as simple as emailing instead of printing in-store receipts, installing energy-efficient light bulbs in stores, or revamping shipping boxes can make a big impact over time.Some tips below that your customers and the Earth will thank you for -&nbsp;

<h2>1. Revamp your shipping materials</h2>As online shopping has surged over the past decade, so too has the resulting environmental impact of shipping those products to consumers. You can make an impact by switching to recycled shipping boxes, environmentally-friendly fillers, and cutting back on paper use. Take it a step further by including instructions on how customers can recycle or reuse your packaging (if you already have custom-branded packaging, include these tips on the inside flap or bottom of the box).

<h2>2. ...and your packaging</h2>&nbsp;Are your products packaged with environmentally-friendly materials? Many retailers don’t realise that even customer packaging like candle cylinders can be produced with recycled materials. Encourage customers to reuse your packaging (that candle cylinder could hold matches, for example). This does double-duty by keeping your brand on display in homes.&nbsp;

<h2>3. Invest in carbon offsets</h2>While you may not be able to measurably reduce the carbon footprint of your shipping partners or the factories that make your products, you can<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2020/02/04/buying-carbon-offsets-for-your-home-or-business-is-so-cheap-and-easy-you-wont-believe-it/#460b19153232" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> offset them.</a> Carbon offsets are essentially investments in environmental efforts like planting trees and building renewable energy facilities. The positive effects of those efforts are used to balance out the negative environmental impacts of a business.<a href="https://carbonfund.org/take-action/businesses/carbonfree-programs/small-business-partner/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.carbonfootprint.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carbonfootprint.com</a> has affordable offset opportunities for small businesses.&nbsp;

<h2>4. Give shoppers the tools to make a difference</h2>Consumers are more environmentally-conscious than ever. They are even willing to pay more for sustainable brands. Consider offering products or services that help your shoppers live sustainable lives. Coffee companies, for example, can make reusable cups and straws, while clothing retailers can provide reusable bags for their customers to use while making grocery or pharmacy runs.&nbsp;

<h2>5. Be creative with excess and extras</h2>Nearly every company that produces physical goods has manufacturing waste. Whether scraps of fabric or “seconds,” think of creative ways to prevent those materials from reaching landfills. Many retailers are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by using excess fabric to manufacture non-medical masks for the public. Evaluate your extras and consider donating less-than-perfect products, repurposing excess materials into rags or other useful items, or pairing leftovers with fun DIY instructions. Beyond reducing your footprint, these efforts go a long way toward showing your customers that you care.&nbsp;

<h2>6. Join a coalition or counsel</h2>Organizations like<a href="https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.carbontrust.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carbon Trust</a> help businesses of any size maximise their impact. They partner with businesses, governments, and organisations all over the world to support them in realising ambitious plans for a sustainable, low carbon future.

<h2>7. Craft sustainable messaging</h2>Sustainability is about action, not talk--but it’s still important to let your customers know how you’re implementing sustainable practices. Whether you’re investing in carbon offsets or developing special environmentally-friendly products, let your customers know why these actions are important, and how they can help.&nbsp;

<h2>8. Audit your operations</h2>Back office operations can have a significant environmental footprint. <a href="https://www.bitc.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Business in the Community</a> counsels: “We provide practical ways in which your company can get involved in the broader issues of the day. We can help you define what responsible business is, and how you can improve. We can give you mechanisms to help you implement change and tackle some of the biggest issues in society whilst still achieving your business objectives.” For smaller businesses, an easy way to start is to measure impact over the course of a month. How much paper does your business use, how often do your staff drive, how much is recycled, what is your electricity usage? Then determine where you can cut back. Something as simple as putting out a recycling bin or holding virtual instead of in-person meetings does make a difference.&nbsp;

<h2>9. Measure and improve</h2>While it may not make sense for smaller retailers to have a comprehensive, formalised sustainability program, it is important to develop internal guidelines, external sustainability values, and to measure impact. There are <a href="http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabels/?st=country,gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">several tools and services</a> that can help businesses track and report on the impact of their sustainability initiatives. Impact metrics can not only provide you with a compelling story to share with consumers, but it can make the case for further investments in environmental initiatives.&nbsp;

<h2>10. Get certified</h2>“Greenwashing” is when companies claim to be environmentally friendly or sustainable, but don’t walk the talk. Demonstrating your business’s legitimacy as a sustainable company is vital to earning consumer trust and loyalty. Explore <a href="http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabels/?st=country,gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">third-party certifications</a> like<a href="https://www.fairtradecertified.org/business" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.bluesign.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesign Standard</a>, <a href="http://www.carbonneutral.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CarbonNeutral</a>, and <a href="https://ethical-company-organisation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Good Shopping Guide Ethical Award</a>.

The importance of operating a sustainable business is always relevant. 

Go green: 10 tips to be a more sustainable business

If your aim for 2021 is to make your overall supply chain more sustainable, there’s lots to think about -&nbsp;from the farms that create the materials or ingredients, to the factories that put each product together, and the packaging that delivers each order to the customer’s front door.

So where should you start and how can you become part of a much bigger change? Here we share three ideas to get you working towards a more sustainable future.

<h2>BlockChain Technology</h2>Most fashion and beauty supply chains are pretty complex and you’d be forgiven for not knowing the detail of every aspect of yours. But if you really want to show your customers true transparency, it’s important that you do.

So where can you start?<a href="https://fashionista.com/2018/04/what-is-blockchain-explained-ethical-fashion-supply-chain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Block chain technology</a> is one way that a growing number of fashion companies are becoming more accountable and collaborating better with their complete supply chain – not just tier-one suppliers. In fact,<a href="https://www.voguebusiness.com/technology/6-ways-blockchain-changing-luxury" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Vogue Business</a> reported in May 2019 that investment in blockchain start-ups had increased at a compound annual growth rate of 90 per cent over the past five years.

<a href="https://fashionista.com/2018/04/what-is-blockchain-explained-ethical-fashion-supply-chain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">According to Fashionista.com</a>, block chains log transactions like the transfer of money, goods or services. Records of each blockchain transaction are then then stored in over 200,000 computers around the world that make up the blockchain network. This central network of information works in a similar way to a Google doc, but in this case, there isn’t one central owner which makes the blockchain log completely tamper-proof.

Fashionista.com goes on to describe<a href="https://www.provenance.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> blockchain companies such as Provenance</a> as allowing everyone from the farmer, to the textile mill, to the cut-and-sew factory to communicate directly with the brand that buys from them. This will help to ensure that fashion and beauty products have traceable, transparent origins of which auditors can use to verify certifications and confirm working conditions in the future.

<h2>Cradle to Cradle Certification</h2>Another way many fashion companies are trying to make their supply chains more sustainable and traceable is with the Cradle to Cradle business model. A global recognised level of safety, retailers can put a product or material up for assessment if they believe it: meets the eligibility requirements of the<a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/resources/collection-page/cradle-to-cradle-certified-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard</a>; complies with its banned chemical lists; and is part of a wider commitment to continuous product improvement.

<a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/get-certified/product-certification" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Cradle to Cradle website explains</a> that to receive certification, products are assessed for environmental and social performance across five critical sustainability categories: material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. If certified, a product is then awarded an <a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/get-certified/levels" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">achievement level</a> (Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) for each category.

The certification is now used as a preferred product standard all over the world allowing product designers, manufacturers and brands to make products that are kinder to the planet while helping consumers make responsible purchasing decisions.

<a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/products/scorecard/gstar-raw-denim-product-gstar-raw-cv" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">G-Star is a great example of a fashion brand with Cradle to Cradle certification</a>. Available on Clearpay retailer ASOS, G-Star RAW Denim Product represents a range of denim styles designed and manufactured according to Cradle to Cradle® design principles at the Gold level. All styles have been produced at Saitex in Vietnam. For a wider list of certified brands, materials and processes, visit the<a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/products/registry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Registry.</a>

<h2>Build Reverse Supply Chains</h2>The retail industry creates vast amounts of waste so upcycling is a really important way you can try to improve the sustainability of your own supply chain.<a href="https://rixo.co.uk/?utm_source=clearpay&amp;utm_medium=store-directory&amp;utm_campaign=feature" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Many fashion brands such as Rixo</a> are doing this with sustainable collections. Its coveted Ariel dress, for example, is made in a female-owned factory in India and created with recyclable materials and off cuts of fabric that would have otherwise been wasted.

Luxury e-commerce retailer Farfetch is also promoting a reverse supply chain<a href="https://thrift.plus/pages/farfetch-donate" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> in a number of innovative ways that promote circular fashion</a>. The first is its Choose Positively line which includes a collection of sustainable and pre-owned pieces, alongside FARFETCH Second Life which allows customers to earn store credit by selling their pre-loved designer bags and second-hand clothes.

But while these efforts are to be applauded, it’s also important to look further back in your supply chain to see how wastage is being created in each step of the manufacturing process including fibres, weaving, dying and garment processing.

Another way merchants can aim to cut back on waste is by gathering important sales data and sharing it along the supply chain in real time to cut back on both over and under-production.<a href="https://www.just-style.com/comment/sustainability-in-fashion-supply-chains-the-road-ahead_id137386.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Just-Style explains</a> that when buying and planning signals are delayed along the supply chain, it can cause big swing in inventory as retailers try to keep up with customer demands. The closer the retailer is connected to their supply chain, the less waste there will be.

Making small steps to become more sustainable and closely aligned with your supply chain can help you provide more transparent information to your customers, gaining deeper trust and loyalty and long-term success. How will you start today?&nbsp;

CTA: Learn more about how Clearpay can help your business by booking a meeting with one of our Retailer Team Members today at sales@clearpay.co.uk

If your aim for 2021 is to make your overall supply chain more sustainable, there’s lots to think about. 

What sustainability looks like for your supply chain

Social responsibility has become an essential part of business with an increasing number of consumers spending their money with brands that stand for something other than themselves.

According to<a href="https://stackla.com/resources/reports/the-consumer-content-report-influence-in-the-digital-age/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Stackla</a>, 86% of customers say that authenticity is also important to them when deciding what brands they like and support, making it vital for retailers to be transparent about how they operate and the corporate responsibilities they have committed to.So how can you ensure your brand is being socially responsible and how can you communicate this effectively through your sales and marketing channels? Here we look at 3 ways to apply to your business in 2021 and beyond.

<h2>Support causes you genuinely care about</h2>First things first, you’ll need to decide as a company what is important to you and the causes you want to support. This could be a cause that will help you maintain better working practises across the whole business, such as investing in biodegradable and recyclable packaging, or committing to only working with suppliers that can provide fair and safe working conditions for all of their employees.If you want to support a specific charity, you could donate a specific number of profits from every sale across your entire store or a particular product range. Michele Scott-Lynch, founder of haircare brand Bouclème, for example, donated a £1 from every order in March to Malaika – an organisation that helps to transform the lives of girls in Sub Saharan Africa. Toms’ shoes, available to buy on Clearpay retailer<a href="https://www.asos.com/search/?q=toms&amp;affid=5571&amp;channelref=paid%2Bsearch&amp;ppcadref=10083505091%7C100887529650%7Caud-810270772735:kwd-21975358196&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwmIuDBhDXARIsAFITC_7saZfWXygYVArLbWrPF_uZBg_vRAb3xI_VBgw6XtIpdeE88GbUxmkaAq96EALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ASOS,</a> also invests a third of its profits in grassroots organisations that create change at local level.<h2>Make it clear to customers what you stand for</h2>Once you’ve decided on your key commitments, you need to make it really easy for both your online and in-store customers to find out more about them. If some of your profits are going towards a charity, for example, include this information with your product details and repeat it again at checkout. You can also include a note in their confirmation email and inside their package, offering more information about the cause and explaining how you’re supporting it.In store, communicate this same information through informative signage that explains how you’re donating to a specific cause and why. You should also ensure your store staff are knowledgeable about your social responsibility commitments and can answer customers’ queries confidently and accurately.<h2>Include social responsibility in your wider marketing messaging</h2>On a wider scale, consumers are making a beeline for brands that they know are making efforts to be socially responsible, so try and get your message out far and wide. There are a few ways you can do this such as creating informative and inspiring editorial and blog content that tells customers more about your social aims and initiatives. Additionally, you should also use your social platforms to show customers what you’re about while updating them on any social commitments you have made. Interviews, videos and engagement posts are a great way to do this.Brand podcasts are also another powerful medium that you can use to talk about your social commitments and even interview key people involved. Finally, let the wider media know more about your corporate identity and values with timely press releases that give real-time updates on your progress and successes.

Learn more about how Clearpay can support you by booking a meeting with one of our Retailer Team Members today at <a href="mailto:sales@clearpay.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">sales@clearpay.co.uk</a>

Ensure your brand is being socially responsible and how can you communicate this effectively through your sales and marketing channels.

3 ways you can be socially responsible in your marketing and sales efforts in 2021

Sustainability is an increasingly important concern for consumers and many are actively seeking out companies that align with their own values around the environment. And when it comes to fashion, the concern is particularly acute.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sustainability-as-a-value-is-changing-how-consumers-shop?r=US&amp;IR=T" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Business Insider reports</a> that 6 billion pounds of textiles end up in landfills each year – stark facts that are leading to more and more shoppers to change their buying habits. How so? A<a href="https://content-na1.emarketer.com/sustainability-is-factoring-into-2019-holiday-purchases?_ga=2.30287994.412608467.1608636292-123515046.1608636292" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> report in 2019 by Hotwire</a> found that 47% of online shoppers across the world had stopped buying from brands that went against their personal values, and the environment was top of that list.But what steps can you start to think about implementing as a retailer? Let’s take a look at three ways you can introduce sustainable practises in 2021.

<h2>1. Set yourself achievable goals with a sustainability programme</h2>While it may not be possible to make every part of your supply chain sustainable, set realistic goals in an official sustainability programme. For example, if you plan to use only recycled packaging by 2023, communicate this to your customers and make sure you can deliver on your promises. In the meantime, tell customers which elements of your existing packaging can be recycled so that they feel you are doing as much as you can.&nbsp;You should also consider re-assessing your current packaging and removing any unnecessary cardboard and plastic - looking to minimise waste wherever possible. This includes switching to recycled shipping boxes, environmentally-friendly fillers, and cutting back on paper use. Nothing makes a conscious customer feel more guilty than an order arriving in excessive packaging, and it may lead to them bypassing you as a brand completely.<h2>2. Add sustainable lines and fabrics to your product offering</h2>UK consumer insights expert Martin Newman explains that sustainability is particularly important for the younger generation who expect it as standard. “Gen Z expects brands to enable them to take action by offering sustainable clothing, thrifting, and second-hand items,” says Martin. For example, consider adding upcycled second-hand pieces to your clothing range and call out the use of sustainable fabrics wherever possible. This allows consumers to make considered purchases.&nbsp;A great example of this in action is Clearpay retailer, Rixo – a premium womenswear brand based in the UK. While their main collection isn’t sustainable, next year they plan to release the<a href="https://rixo.co.uk/pages/recycle-signup" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Rixo Recycle Collection</a>. Each piece in the range will be made from 100% upcycled fabric that’s sourced in India and would otherwise have gone to waste. It’s a shrewd move that is not only better for the environment but an active step in answering consumer needs.<h2>3. Gain third-party certification</h2>Making smaller changes is a step in the right direction but there’s nothing like demonstrating your commitment to sustainability by earning third-party certification. These kinds of certificates help to grow consumer loyalty and ultimately earn their trust. Beauty retailers should look at those such as the<a href="http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabel/british-allergy-foundation-seal-of-approval" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval</a>, and<a href="https://www.soilassociation.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAz4b_BRBbEiwA5XlVVhIgLtxWEF3jUiY0sn4XdAjGoZbVQmp-JDNMVI6rgOxwW1TEizVdCBoCswEQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> The Soil Association</a> that certify that all processes and ingredients are ethical and sustainable, while certifications such as<a href="http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabel/blue-angel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Blue Angel</a> show the products or services offered focus on one of four different protection goals: health, climate, water, and resources.Additionally,<a href="https://ethical-company-organisation.org/the-good-shopping-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> The Good Shopping Guide</a> informs customers of those brands that aim to help people make informed decisions about which brands are best for the planet, best for animals and best for people across the world.&nbsp;For example, sustainable fashion brand<a href="https://www.asos.com/search/?page=1&amp;q=people%20tree&amp;scrollTo=product-14931734" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> People Tree</a>, available on Clearpay retailer ASOS, scores a top rating of 96 on The Good Shopping Guide’s ethical company index score.

Find out how Clearpay can help drive your business forward in 2020 by scheduling a meeting with one of our Retailer Team Members today at <a href="mailto:sales@clearpay.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">sales@clearpay.com</a>.

Take a look at three ways you can implement and introduce sustainable practises in 2021 as a retailer.