Ways Your Business Can Become More Eco-Friendly

Every business has a responsibility when it comes to the environment. It’s well-known that the biggest contributors to rising carbon emissions are some of the world’s biggest brands. However, this does not mean that the smaller businesses get off lightly either. So, as companies face tougher calls on reducing their environmental impact, here’s a look at some ways your business can become more eco-friendly:

Ban Single-Use Plastic

Though banning plastic may be a tricky step to overcome at first, the long-term benefits are undeniably worth it. To start with, all businesses should be banning single-use plastic like straws, plastic bottles, coffee cups and plastic bags. Then, they should move onto other plastic items that are easily replaced, such as stationery. Simply supplementing some everyday products with paper of other recyclable materials can be an excellent way to begin your eco-friendly journey as a business.  You could also have a blanket ban in the office to stop employees bringing in single-use plastic from home too. 

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

The idea of going paperless would have caused chaos of any business just 10 years ago. Now, it is a perfectly viable option. Try reducing your paper consumption by sending an email rather than a letter and keeping files online rather than printed out. And, if you do need to use paper, have a designated recycling bin. Ensure all your bins are clearly labelled to encourage recycling among employees. 

Similarly, when it comes to waste, energy is often number one for many businesses. Energy wastage is a common problem in many industries, especially the office environment. An easy way to save energy is to implement restrictions. For example, always turning lights off an unplugging equipment at the end of the day. You should also use energy saving lightbulbs instead of standard ones, they can use up to 75% less energy. 

Clean the Air

Air polluted with harmful toxins and chemicals is becoming a problem. Many smaller offices get around this problem by having greenery in the office because they can help to purify the air in a natural way. Though having lots of green plants in the office can certainly help, installing industrial ducting can make a big difference for larger work environments. It can help with the air flow in the office, improving the overall quality of the air which is more beneficial to the employees as well as the planet. 

Procurement

Another effective way to make your business more eco-friendly is to re-evaluate your procurement methods. Are you using eco-friendly suppliers? Where do your materials come from? Can these materials be sourced closer to home? Consider how many air miles your materials would have travelled just to get to the workplace. Take some time to trace your materials back to the supplier and conduct your own checks into their sustainability practices. If you find your supplier doesn’t comply with sustainability regulations, then it is time to source a new one that benefits the environment.