Four ways businesses can weave sustainability into their operations
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Posted: Tue 5th Nov 2024
Businesses of all shapes, sizes and sectors are under pressure from stakeholders to make green commitments and reduce their impact on the planet. Investors value it, employees expect it and consumers want to buy it.
Research from Deloitte published just last year highlighted how a third of consumers would trust a brand more if its ethical and sustainable practices were more apparent.
And it's not just how people shop that's changing. A staggering 77% of individual investors globally say they are interested in investing in businesses that are committed to both strong financial returns and delivering positive social and environmental impact.
The challenge this presents for businesses is how to become more sustainable, especially operating within their existing workflows and operations, without huge upheaval and expense.
Watch this webinar to discover how you can communicate your positive impact with your audience and clients, in ways that will increase your confidence, your brand reach and your customer base:
But there are clever ways to help meet organisational goals around sustainability, reduce impact and positively contribute to the local business and environmental ecosystem — in a way that consumers are really starting to notice too.
Let's get into it.
1. Sustainable working
Sustainable working is a powerful way to weave environmental efficiencies into a business's operations without major disruption. Start by addressing the way your business functions day-to-day. Even small adjustments can have a significant impact on both your carbon footprint and operational costs.
Flexible working arrangements are a practical starting point. Studies show that businesses can reduce their overall carbon footprint by up to 40% by allowing remote work. This simple change reduces commuting, especially during peak traffic times when fuel consumption and emissions are at their highest. For those who must travel, encouraging carpooling or supporting cycling schemes, can further reduce environmental impact.
Energy efficiency is another key area where small changes can yield big results. Switching to energy-saving light bulbs, upgrading appliances and using motion sensors in low-traffic areas can cut energy consumption by as much as 20%. These changes lower both your business's carbon footprint and operational costs.
Waste management offers a more direct way to improve sustainability overnight. Partnering with a commercial waste service that guarantees zero landfill waste can immediately enhance your environmental credentials. The UK government estimates that businesses could save £6.4 billion annually by improving resource efficiency. Reducing office printing, opting for digital records and recycling paper waste is another effective measure. Even seemingly small choices like using a mobile shredding service, which recycles shredded paper post-use ensures your office waste has a positive impact.
2. Eco-friendly marketing
Marketing is a powerful tool for reaching customers, but it can also be a resource-intensive activity. Traditional print advertising, billboards and direct mail consume significant amounts of energy and materials, contributing heavily to waste and emissions.
A shift towards digital marketing offers a more sustainable alternative. Moving your marketing efforts online can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional print media. Social media, email campaigns and search engine optimisation (SEO) provide effective ways to engage customers without the environmental cost of printed materials.
If print marketing is necessary, opt for recycled paper and eco-friendly inks. Reusable event materials — such as branded keep cups, tote bags or other giveaways — also reduce waste. A report by CEPSA highlighted how businesses that use recycled materials for print collateral significantly reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to a cleaner environment.
For outdoor advertising, digital billboards consume considerable energy. Switching to more eco-friendly alternatives, such as recycled print signage or prioritising digital screens, can further reduce the environmental impact of your marketing efforts. More than 82% of UK consumers make tangible efforts to reduce their environmental footprint, so why not tell them about it on your ad space whilst you’re at it?
3. Embracing green IT
IT operations are often overlooked in sustainability plans, yet they can have a surprisingly large environmental impact. Globally, data centres account for around 1% of all electricity use, a figure that’s expected to rise as the demand for cloud computing increases.
Improving IT sustainability can start with optimising the lifecycle of your hardware. Instead of replacing devices frequently, consider upgrading or refurbishing existing equipment. Purchasing refurbished technology, for instance, can reduce a company’s carbon footprint by up to 25% compared to buying new.
Cloud computing is another significant lever for reducing IT emissions. By moving from on-site data centres to cloud services — especially those powered by renewable energy — businesses can cut energy use by up to 50%. Google, Microsoft and Amazon all offer cloud services that operate on renewable energy, providing an immediate sustainability boost for businesses that make the switch.
Encouraging staff to adopt greener digital habits, such as reducing the use of large email attachments, turning off devices when not in use and using energy-efficient settings, can further lower IT-related emissions and overall energy costs.
4. An active player in the circular economy
The circular economy is an economic model aimed at eliminating waste by keeping resources in use for as long as possible. In contrast to the traditional ‘take-make-dispose’ model, the circular economy focuses on reusing, recycling and regenerating materials. This approach appeals to consumers, with 60% globally now preferring brands that engage in circular business practices.
Businesses can engage in the circular economy without drastic operational changes. For example, sourcing materials from local suppliers reduces the need for long-distance transportation, lowering emissions and boosting the local economy. Partnering with suppliers that embrace circular practices, such as recycling or using reclaimed materials further enhances your sustainability efforts.
Resource recovery is another simple yet effective way to participate in the circular economy. Businesses can recycle their excess materials, sell by-products, or even donate unused items to other companies or community projects. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, implementing circular principles could unlock $4.5 trillion in global economic benefits.
Finally, sharing resources, such as office space, vehicles or equipment with other local businesses can significantly reduce waste and cost. This not only minimises the demand for new materials but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration.
Positive eco changes today for rewards tomorrow
Incorporating environmental efficiencies and sustainability into your existing operations doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your business model. By making small, thoughtful changes, you can reduce your environmental footprint and build a stronger reputation for sustainability.
As consumers, employees and investors increasingly value green credentials, these adjustments will not only help protect the planet, it will position your business for long-term success.
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