6 Sustainability Steps To Take
Future-proofing is critical for businesses of all sizes and types, and one of the most important ways to prepare for the future is by making your business sustainable. This means sustainability in a business sense as well as with your carbon footprint. Fortunately, steps to make your business more efficient can benefit both goals at once.
Allow Remote And Co-Working
Cutting the emissions created by individual employees driving to work can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. It can also have excellent benefits for employee satisfaction and retention, and if you decide to give up your office altogether, this can be great for your bottom line.
You’ll need to invest in the right tech for your employees to go remote, including excellent, reliable communication software. You should also provide employees with the equipment they may need, including desk chairs, monitors, laptops, and more. If employees want to work in an office space, you could provide some funding to allow co-working in a local office space.
Save Energy In The Office
If you plan to keep your office open, it is crucial to make it as sustainable and efficient as possible. This means keeping energy use low and finding ways to eliminate inefficiency. You should start by ensuring your insulation is up to date, of good quality, and included in all wall cavities, under floorboards, and in ceilings.
You could also consider installing solar panels to help you generate and harness power for your office. A policy of turning everything off at night can also be an excellent way to save energy and money. Switching to renewable energy providers can reduce the demand for finite resources.
Get Formal Training In Business Sustainability
Any business owner knows that acquiring knowledge is a perpetual task. Making your business future-proof and ensuring sustainability is a task that will need constant adjustments and revision. Taking formal training in business sustainability via a course can be a great way to ensure that you attain all the crucial knowledge you need.
Use Non-Plastic Packaging
Consumers are fed up with receiving products packaged in masses of unnecessary plastic packaging. There are eco-friendly alternatives that can be more effectively recycled or biodegradable. The packaging you choose will depend on the product you make and what will be suitable for ensuring deliveries reach customers intact.
Understand What Consumers Want
As with any change to a business’s operation, it is essential to know what customers will think and feel about changes made to your operations. Carrying out routine market research can also help you identify trends in consumer wants and needs, particularly regarding sustainability.
Source Locally
The further your materials, office supplies, products and any other necessities have to travel to get to your office, the bigger the carbon footprint they create. Sourcing locally shows your commitment to your local community and reduces the emissions associated with supplies and delivery. It is important to choose businesses with the best quality offerings so that you can continue to give your customers the best experience.
