Small business owners often have an underlying cause they care about. For those embracing a greener planet, environmental stewardship is attractive. By changing a few things, companies can make things better for future generations.
Environmental stewardship looks different for each organization. One might create a nice wildlife refuge on their property, while another utilizes green energy. You can choose as many or as few methods as you’d like to make an eco-friendly impact on the world around you.
Here are a few examples of practices to try to decrease your brand’s carbon footprint.
1. Install Alternative Energy Sources
Deloitte looked at the renewable energy industry for 2023 and uncovered a few interesting findings. Wind and solar remained the least expensive alternative sources to invest in. Experts estimate companies spent about $10 billion in the last twelve months on renewables.
Although your initial investment might seem daunting, you can always start small. If you can’t yet afford to install solar panels on your building, you can still use solar landscaping lights or a solar floodlight. Add what you can as you can afford it to take the steps toward being greener.
2. Focus on Packaging
Focus on implementing friendly practices through the packaging of the items you send out for sale. Ask yourself if the packaging is eco-friendly. For instance, if you use a container for your product but then ship it to retailers in a box that can’t be recycled, have your efforts truly made an impact on the environment?
Be seen as a green company by considering every aspect of what you do. Fix packaging and use recycled materials and make them easily degradable. Adopt lower carbon footprint practices. Give back to organizations that help the local environment.
3. Avoid Dangerous Chemicals
The chemicals your company uses to manufacture products can harm living things around you. For example, Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) leach into groundwater, contaminating water and soil.
PFAS chemicals have been used in products since the middle part of the twentieth century. In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency suggested limiting PFAS chemicals to protect drinking water.
You should assess any chemicals you use to manufacture products. Pay attention to your sources for things you buy ready-made and resell. Do they use PFAS? Since the EPA is already looking at the issue, you may have to limit their usage to comply with requirements soon anyway.
4. Rethink Your Vehicle Fleet
Companies that own fleets of vehicles can reduce their carbon footprint by investing in electric motors. Using electric can save money on fuel costs. However, the initial investment may be difficult for smaller brands.
Some solutions you can consider instead include:
- Rerouting drivers for maximum efficiency
- Replacing one vehicle at a time
- Take advantage of tax savings for buying electric
- Adopt safe and more fuel-efficient driving practices
5. Conserve Water in Your Building
The UN reports two billion people lack safe drinking water. What if your company could do its part to conserve? Simple steps you can take include:
- Installing low-flow toilets
- Using automated water faucets to limit waste
- Landscaping with plants that use less water
- Building a retaining pond
- Replacing equipment that leaks
- Educating workers on conserving water
If you implement a few basic changes, your company can conserve water and protect it for those in the area.
6. Create a Sustainable Supply Chain
If you get materials for manufacturing, you use a supply chain. If you buy ready-made items to resell, you use one, too. Even just buying a few items to keep an office running requires buying from them. Pay attention to the ways they secure their materials and the transportation to and from you.
Pay attention to these questions:
- Does the company use sustainable practices?
- Can the product be recycled?
- How much waste does it produce?
- What are the methods of delivery?
- What is the company doing to replace what they use?
- Do they have a commitment to zero waste?
Some brands don’t sell physical products but can still have an impact on the planet by choosing greener products for their day-to-day operations.
7. Adopt Zero-Waste Initiatives
Adopt a zero-waste program by studying what other companies and communities are doing. The EPA lays out a number of initiatives you can study and learn from, including:
- Training employees to reduce waste and recycle/reuse everything
- Encouraging no plastic bottles
- Removing single-use plastics
- Stocking the break room with washable rags and reusable utensils
As you move toward a zero-waste philosophy, you’ll find other areas you can change to improve your practices. Ask employees to get involved and point out any needed changes.
8. Make Events Eco-Friendly
Nearly every company hosts various events to promote their business. Look for ways to offer materials digitally. Instead of passing out a flier, ask people to text you and ping the details back to them. You could also:
- Serve food on washable plates
- Work with vendors adopting zero-waste policies
- Donate money to a local ecological organization
- Ask participants to help you be greener
- Show attendees what you’re doing to reduce your carbon footprint
- Offer classes encouraging people to adopt their own green practices
With a focus on being greener and preserving the environment for future generations, you’ll reach like-minded people in your community and create an impact.
Environmental Stewardship for the Win
Learn to embrace greener practices. Your company will become known as one that cares about the local environment as well as making the world greener for others. When everyone works together to take care of this blue and green globe, it becomes more sustainable for everyone.
Eleanor is editor of Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.
