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In light of the recent and alarming news about climate change, people are gradually becoming more mindful of the environment. Consumers are slowly embracing environmental consciousness in their lifestyle, which goes a long way given the planet’s condition.
Fortunately, there are people doing something to save it, but if the root is not eliminated, the effects will worsen eventually, in as much that sustainability will be rendered useless. The situation is dire, but humanity is not doomed, at least yet. It’s high time for everyone to participate in preserving the work environment, and businesses are crucial for it to succeed.
If you want to take part in this advocacy, here are five tips for an eco-friendly business to get you started:
5 Tips For An Eco-Friendly Business
1. Incorporate Green Marketing Practices
It’s not enough to integrate sustainability strategies directly into your goods. Start by reducing the use of non-biodegradable products in your supply chain and manufacturing process.
Give plastics, glass, hazardous chemicals, and other hard-to-decay wastes a rest and find alternatives without sacrificing your workflow. If your production involves plastic crates, try switching to wooden varieties. Although wood requires more frequent check-ups, you can use it as an opportunity to do a general check-up instead to ensure quality.
Also, shift to eco-friendly packaging instead of using plastic ones. These types of packaging are readily available in the market, so procuring them won’t be difficult. Sustainable packaging is also more cost-efficient long term since they’re primarily made out of recyclable materials.
2. Green Sourcing
About reforming your supply chain, green sourcing refers to procuring raw materials and services from eco-friendly businesses. After all, participating in an eco-friendly network assures consistency and staying true to your advocacy of going green.
Furthermore, through green sourcing, you get to help the local market expand its reach; therefore, giving more opportunities to locals and small businesses. Green sourcing is also a solid way to make your supply chain resilient, which is more crucial nowadays when market competition is tight, and consumer demand is high.
3. Adopt the CSR Model
Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is a business model that emphasizes the role of businesses in improving society through active participation while furthering the name of their brand at the same time.
CSR should not be confused with grandstanding since it requires companies to present ‘proofs’ that provide validity for their claims of goodwill. It gives assurance to consumers, most especially a good chunk of them is still sceptical with the sincerity of businesses when it comes to sustainability. Some donate to charities, volunteer in environmental campaigns, hold fundraising programs for the environment, or anything that shows how genuine you are in preserving the planet.
4. Digitize Your Business
In recent years, utilizing digital platforms is rapidly gaining fame. Suffice it to say that almost every business of different sizes, across industries, have at least incorporated it in its workflow. Concerning sustainability, digitizing your business (or a portion of it) is a good option to consider.
With the use of the internet, you can completely operate your business remotely. Security issues aside, remote workers have a multitude of advantages, such as lowered utility costs, decreased maintenance fees, among others.
In addition, with this work setup, employees use their cars less frequently, thereby contributing to lowering down carbon dioxide emissions. You also help them enjoy their time with their families and help them achieve a work-life balance by staying at home. You can even push this a notch higher by thinking of ways to make it more fun and unique.
5. Ask for help from your employees
The problem of sustainability is everyone’s problem, so everyone must participate in it. Owners and employees alike must have the willingness and knowledge to enforce sustainable practices in the company and incorporate them even in their personal lives.
Making your eco-friendly practices a lifestyle thing instead of just a mere policy will make it more personal, extending its reach beyond the confinement of your business. Simply put, your employees must know the importance of sustainability to practice it even outside office hours.
Conclusion
As humans continue their pursuit for progress, the planet and all things alive suffer. While progress is good, no one should forget that taking care of the environment is vital. Earth should not be sacrificed for mere development. Without a livable and safe environment, progress won’t even matter anyway.
