With rising environmental awareness and concern, organizations are assessing their impact on the natural world. Of course, adopting sustainability within your business model has more benefits than contributing to a healthier planet.
Consumer demand for green products — from development and production to end-of-life closed-loop systems — is at an all-time high. Pressure from within companies is also increasing as employees urge the workplace to lean into environmental responsibility. For those who demonstrate eco-friendliness, profitability, employee morale and customer loyalty are just a few positive outcomes.
It doesn’t matter if you own a small business or are the CEO of a large corporation. Taking sustainable actions through greener practices is crucial to remain competitive.
1. Retrofit for Energy Efficiency
Retrofitting your office space for energy efficiency reduces your company’s carbon footprint and creates a healthier environment for your employees. The most recent data from the United States Energy Information Administration shows the nation’s nearly 5.9 million commercial buildings consumed 6.8 quadrillion British thermal units of energy in 2018. Space heating, in particular, accounted for 32%.
You can successfully retrofit your building by changing lighting, upgrading the HVAC, replacing old windows with insulated glass models and installing low-flow fixtures in restrooms. Your commercial space may even qualify for federal tax deductions for specific energy-saving projects.
For example, LED bulbs use 90% less energy than conventional light bulbs, last 15 times longer and release 90% less heat than incandescent bulbs. Upgrading interior lighting usually meets eligibility requirements for tax benefits.
2. Engage With the Community
As a critical player in your local social and economic development, your business should give back to the community to boost its sustainability. Activities and volunteer opportunities for teams to enhance their engagement could include:
- Working on sustainability projects with nonprofit organizations, schools, city government agencies and fellow businesses.
- Making financial contributions or donating goods and services to support community-wide sustainability projects.
- Creating a community garden to maximize green spaces, address food insecurity and promote sustainable agriculture.
You can even call your local parks and recreation department to organize a cleanup event for your employees, inviting residents to join in. Tree planting may be another option for absorbing harmful emissions. Despite stringent air quality standards, 90% of people breathe air that exceeds safe pollution limits.
3. Encourage Remote Work
In recent years, there has been a push-and-pull between businesses and their employees over remote work. While some companies claim it hinders collaboration, one expert says he’s seen a 3%-5% increase in productivity among those who work from home. This is likely due to having fewer distractions and interruptions to their workflow.
However, research shows another potential benefit — lower transportation emissions. According to one study, 10% fewer on-site workers could reduce annual commuter carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 10% — 191.8 million metric tons of CO2.
Remote employees may also have a 54% lower carbon footprint than on-site employees. However, hybrid arrangements have a positive effect, as well. Working from home two to four times a week can decrease CO2 emissions by 11%-29%. One primary reason for this is less energy consumption at the office.
4. Create Workplace Waste Management
Insights from a Deloitte survey show that 69% of employees want their workplace to invest in sustainability. Meanwhile, 42% of businesses say employee morale has been the most significant outcome of their efforts.
Developing a waste management program will allow your company to progress in its sustainability benchmarks while encouraging employee participation. This program could encompass recycling, placing more accessible bins or even starting an on-site composting station. Hanging signs about workplace waste reduction and offering guidance about what to recycle will empower workers to do more.
5. Green the Supply Chain
Your supply chain may be your carbon footprint’s biggest culprit. Work with suppliers and vendors who value sustainability and are inching toward their own environmental goals, such as generating less waste, conserving water or lowering emissions. In particular, those holding eco-friendly certifications have demonstrated their transparency and commitment to enhancing a greener world.
Outdoor apparel brand Patagonia is well-recognized for its ecological stewardship and ethical business practices. Recently, the company partnered with the nonprofit Canopy to create paper packaging materials from agricultural waste and non-forest fibers. Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative will help Patagonia alleviate deforestation in ancient and vulnerable forests and protect endangered plant and animal species.
Unilever is also focused on developing a greener supply chain. The company began its Supplier Climate Programme in 2021, guiding about 300 suppliers in achieving their own sustainability objectives. These suppliers are key to Unilever reaching its climate targets, impacting almost 50% of indirect emissions from raw material extraction, ingredients and packaging.
Green Business: Small Steps, Tremendous Impact
Companies have a tremendous impact on the environment. Fortunately, their dedication to bettering the planet allows them to boost their reputation and stand out among their biggest competitors. By taking action through sustainable business practices and initiatives, you can ensure your organization is part of the solution rather than the problem.
