Go green: 10 tips to be a more sustainable business
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).
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 -
1. Revamp your shipping materials
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).
2. ...and your packaging
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.
3. Invest in carbon offsets
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 offset them. 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. Carbonfootprint.com has affordable offset opportunities for small businesses.
4. Give shoppers the tools to make a difference
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.
5. Be creative with excess and extras
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.
6. Join a coalition or counsel
Organizations like Carbon Trust 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.
7. Craft sustainable messaging
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.
8. Audit your operations
Back office operations can have a significant environmental footprint. Business in the Community 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.
9. Measure and improve
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 several tools and services 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.
10. Get certified
“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 third-party certifications like Bluesign Standard, CarbonNeutral, and The Good Shopping Guide Ethical Award.
