When it comes to the mission of being more eco-friendly and sustainable, small businesses have far more power than they may think.
Here are a few reasons why, as well as a few ways for both small and large businesses to become more sustainable.
Easier to implement changes
One of the first ways that small businesses can drive sustainability is the speed at which they can implement changes. Whether it be using eco-friendly packaging, or using solar power, the changes can be made fast.
There’s no need to consult the board and make massive changes that can take months, or even years to achieve, like what would happen in large, international conglomerates.
Changes can scale
Another important factor is that the changes small businesses make can be scaled quite quickly, and affordably. Once again, if a large company wants to make changes, it will take boatloads of money, as there is far more work to do.
However, a small business could make their current office eco-friendly, and if they move to a slightly larger space, they already have tools and programs in place that they just have to make bigger.
Industry leaders
Being an industry leader in something like sustainability is a badge of honour for businesses. You will be looked at as the standard that others have to reach to remain competitive, and therefore, they will need to make similar sustainable changes and improvements.
Easier to pivot
Considering it is much easier for small businesses to implement changes, it also means it is easier for them to pivot if or when needed. As technology improves and changes, and more research is done, you may find that the changes you made a year or two ago aren’t as effective.
The speed at which you can change can also match the speed at which customers change their views of environmental changes and improvements they want to see out of businesses.
Many small changes
Finally, you may think that as a small business in a random city, you may not make much of a difference, but when more and more small businesses start doing it, a small trickle of change can turn into a massive wave.
As more businesses follow your example, it will force those that haven’t changed to adapt. This will continue, and you will be one of the leaders at the front of the pack.
How to be more sustainable
Now that you know how small businesses can drive sustainability, here are a few ways for your small businesses to become more eco-friendly and green.
Know where you can make changes
The first thing you need to do is a sustainability audit of sorts. You need to analyse where you can make changes and make improvements. Simply put, there is no use in implementing new practices if you are lacking in an existing area.
Reduce waste
Another relatively simple way to become greener is to reduce waste. This can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from minimising or eliminating the use of paper, to getting rid of any single-use plastics or products you may use.
Recycling will be discussed later, but this step is more for eliminating waste that can’t be reused or recycled and would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Greener commute scheme
A greener commute scheme can come in a variety of forms. Firstly, you can carpool with workmates who live near you or on the way to work, thus lessening the amount of cars on the road.
You can also encourage the use of bicycles or public transport for those that live close to work, eliminating the need for a car altogether.
Recycling
Recycling should be a default in any workplace, and it is much easier to do in a small business. Simply put, installing recycling bins in your office is all you have to do to make recycling easy.
Many large cities also have recycling trucks come to pick it all up, meaning you are left with very little work to do yourself, while making a large difference.
Electricity and water
Finally, always look for ways to cut back on your electricity and water usage. For electricity, use power-saving lightbulbs and add timers so the lights aren’t always on. Auto-switches are also useful, like you often find in public bathrooms, as the light will only turn on if someone is in the room.
For water, start with having all of the faucets and pipes checked in your space to make sure there aren’t any leaks, as well as ensuring no taps are left running or leaking after they have been used.
Work with sustainable partners
Finally, you can make eco-friendly choices outside of your business by working with sustainable partners. While this may not always be possible, taking the time to do the research is worth it in the long run.
Even if it’s something small like your shipping company using electric vehicles and bicycles to make deliveries, every little bit makes a difference, and those are the things you should be looking for when building relationships with partners.