Four Steps to a Sustainable Business

This article was originally written for Awake Ari Magazine, Summer 2019.

If you’re a small business owner, perhaps going green isn’t the first thing on your to-do list. Maybe it seems like nothing more than a passing trend that requires a lot of work without much payoff. However, switching to sustainable business practices could be easier and more beneficial than you think, and you can start right now. Follow these 4 simple steps to help your business turn over a new, greener leaf and reap the endless benefits of environmental sustainability.

1. Understand the Business Benefits

Saving Money
“Going green” has two meanings; reducing waste and increasing efficiency is good for the earth and your bottom line. From tax incentives to your electric bill, going green has indisputable financial advantages.

Building Trust
Being openly committed to environmental health and safety tells consumers you’re committed to quality in all aspects of your business. Consumers are more likely to trust companies that are open about their environmental impact, and studies show that companies who are selling sustainable products and are transparent about their green initiatives are seeing an increase in profits.

Outgrow the Competition
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their lifestyle impacts the environment, which means they are seeking out companies with higher standards of environmental sustainability. Set yourself apart from your competition by being enthusiastic about your green initiatives and letting customers know you’re as passionate about conservation as they are.

2. Assess Your Footprint

Take stock of how your business impacts the environment, good and bad. Are your products packaged in plastic? Are you printing 300 sheets of single-sided paper per day? Are the lights in your bathrooms turned on all day, whether anyone is in them or not? Actions that seem small in our day-to-day lives can add up to a huge detriment for the environment. Consider becoming a member of the Climate Registry, a non-profit organization that “assists organizations in measuring, reporting and verifying (MRV) the carbon in their operations in order to manage and reduce it.” Reporting your greenhouse gas emissions means the Climate Registry can identify your eco-weak points and give you solutions to manage them.

3. Explore Your Options

As with any business endeavor, it’s best to start small. Saving energy can be as simple as turning off computers and printers at the end of the day or turning off lights in rooms that aren’t being used. Be conservative with your materials by printing double-sided documents when possible, and choosing suppliers who use recycled materials. Go paperless when possible; per household per year, paperless billing can save 6.6 pounds of paper and avoids producing 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Educate your team about why you’re dedicated to environmental sustainability and how they can help. Once the team is on board, any green idea can become a reality. When you’re ready to graduate to another level of eco-consciousness, switch to energy-efficient hand dryers instead of paper towels for another money-saving earth-saving practice. Call your electric company to see how you can switch to using renewable energy like solar and wind power. If you sell a product that requires packaging, opt for paper and cardboard over styrofoam and plastic. Practices like these take a little bit of research, a little bit of investment, and have a big payoff for your customers and your business as a whole.

4. Continue to Grow

Now that you’ve begun to reduce your business’ negative impact on the environment, consider how you can make an additional positive impact. Think about how you and your employees can benefit your local community by volunteering to clean up trash, plant trees, or help out at a green conference. Most importantly, share your experience with anyone who will listen. Talk to your customers about how your actions impact their daily lives and get feedback on how you can do better. Talk to your peers about how they’re going green and how you can help. Make sustainability a priority and keep your eye out for new technology and innovation that could help you continue to grow as a green business.