Sometimes, even the most minor steps can significantly affect a larger picture. This statement could not be more true when green business practices are concerned. All major corporations today publish sustainability reports and search for ways to minimize their carbon footprint. However, the introduction of sustainable business practices is a scalable process. Small companies can contribute as much as large enterprises — especially considering that small businesses do not usually have such a massive carbon footprint, and so, do not need to hire sustainability manager teams like large companies do. Below are some of the top green practices any business can implement, no matter its size, to make our planet a little safer.
Reconsider transport & delivery options
A typical passenger car emits roughly 4.6 metric tons of CO2 each year, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency report from August 2023. Of course, it’s unreasonable to expect that everyone in your company will buy an electric car or ride a bike to work. But you can take a very close look at your delivery partners — how responsible are they when sustainability is concerned? This includes every business partner in your drive-in — from office meal-kit delivery service to transport partners responsible for the goods you’re shipping.
The larger the company, the more important it is to re-evaluate every partner in your supply and delivery chain regularly. Doing this will help you kill more than just two birds with one stone. By working with responsible partners, you contribute your share to environmental protection, keep an eye on new (often even better) supply and delivery options, show your employees that you care, and build a solid reputation among your clients.
Facilitate recycling in and outside the office
Recycling seems like another obvious step, but there is always room for improvement here. For starters, when you run a physical office, it makes sense to double-check how accessible recycling bins are. Start with the kitchen and the most used office areas — are there enough containers for paper, plastic, and organic waste? When you have the right ‘infrastructure’, office staff will gladly use it. But if people have to climb three storeys to throw out a plastic container, they simply won’t do it.
Another idea is to encourage your team members to follow the same sustainable practices outside the office, too. This will not work for every business, but any company that relies on close staff collaboration can introduce ‘no plastic’ challenges or similar initiatives when applicable. It can be fun, after all!
Larger businesses, particularly production chains, should also be on the lookout for new recycling opportunities as they emerge. There are always new developments in this direction, and it’s essential to stay up-to-date both from the environmental perspective and from a purely business one. After all, more recycling opportunities can eventually turn into more profit when you have a commercial production facility.
Encourage remote work when possible
We’re already past the COVID-19 lockdown, but months of remote work have shown many people that we do way better when working flexible hours. Before the pandemic, only the most innovative companies, like Google, encouraged remote work; now, almost everyone does it. And for a good reason! Remember the part about one passenger vehicle emitting 4.6 cubic tons of CO2 annually? Public transport is more sustainable in this regard — at least, when we consider emissions per passenger, not per vehicle — but it still contributes its share to global pollution levels.
Of course, no one suggests switching everyone to remote work to downsize office expenses and CO2 emissions. But if you can minimize your employees’ commute routes, you definitely should. Besides, there is another perk to this — a flexible work schedule is a serious productivity boost for your team members.
Review your energy consumption
Even though electricity is a greener fuel than gasoline, it does not mean we should consume it thoughtlessly. Higher electricity consumption means higher power plant activity, which, in turn, leads to increased carbon and sulfur emissions. Fortunately, most electric appliances today, from light bulbs to electronics and equipment, are energy-efficient. Still, a regular revision of your electronics and equipment will help, too. Here, even the simplest steps, like a timely cleaning of air conditioners or defrosting refrigerators, can lead to a significant increase in your electric bill.
Once again, it is all about scalability — so the larger the company is, the more effort needs to be invested. Food delivery services and retail chains worldwide are investing in low-impact equipment, but the same logic works in a non-industrial office with just a couple of employees. Do not keep electronics on standby, do regular maintenance checks, and replace any high-power equipment with energy-efficient counterparts whenever possible.
Consider collaboration with non-profits
Sure, not every business can afford to donate to international green initiatives— even though often, even the smallest contributions matter. The initiatives do not have to be too costly — after all, most companies can afford to plant a tree now and then, and so can most of the company employees (on a voluntary basis, of course). It is also possible to team up with other non-competitor companies in your niche to invest in some green initiatives together. Teamwork makes dreamwork, remember? Besides, it strengthens the company’s reputation and provides additional networking opportunities.
Another reason to consider working with non-profits is that they can help you audit your sustainability practices and offer suggestions on how you can make internal company operations more eco-friendly. After all, environmental activists usually know more sustainable business practices than business owners and desk receptionists. So, such team-ups give you a chance to watch and learn.
Digitalize paperwork when possible
Another suggestion practically any business can implement is limiting the amount of paperwork to a minimum. Sadly, too many companies today still rely on lots of printed documents — invoices, contracts, bills, etc. All of those can be digitalized and at an affordable cost at that. Besides, digitalizing document flow in a company has another upside — it ensures easier access for all authorized personnel and makes overall operations within a business more transparent.
On a side note, you could also take another look at your office kitchen — it makes sense to dispose of all the single-use coffee cups, even if they are fully recyclable. You can replace those with traditional ceramic coffee mugs — you can even order a batch with a company logo if that applies.
Think of a take-back policy
If you produce any physical goods or equipment, consider introducing a take-back policy for further recycling. So, instead of just throwing old electronics or kitchenware away, customers can return used goods to the manufacturer. The initiative has plenty of benefits besides environmental protection. It sends the right message to your customers, offers the company a chance to reuse some of the past spares in the new production cycle or, at least, ensure that everything is recycled correctly. So, it’s definitely something to consider!
These are only some examples of green practices any business can adopt and scale. And while some of these steps seem insignificantly small, the impact, when everyone starts doing so, can be truly enormous. So why not start taking these small steps today?
