With increasing environmental awareness and concern, organizations evaluate their effects on the natural world. Of course, the introduction of sustainability in your business model has more advantages than contributing to a healthier planet.
Consumers' demand for environmentally friendly products from Development and Production to Closed Close systems at the end of the life is an all-time high. The pressure within companies also increases, as the employees push the job to engage in environmental responsibility. For those who demonstrate environmental friendliness, profitability, employee morality and customer loyalty are just a few positive results.
It doesn't matter whether you have a small company or the CEO of a large company. Taking sustainable measures through greener practices is crucial to remain competitive.
1. Retrofitting for energy efficiency
The retrofitting of your office space for energy efficiency reduces the CO2 footprint of your company and creates a healthier environment for your employees. The latest data from the US energy information management show that the almost 5.9 million commercial buildings of the country used 6.8 British thermal units of the British thermal units in 2018. In particular, space heating was 32%.
You can successfully retrofit your building by changing the lighting, updating the HVAC, replacing old windows with isolated glass models and installing low-flow fittings in toilets. Your commercial area can even qualify for certain energy -saving projects for tax deductions of the federal government.
For example, LED lamps use 90% less energy than conventional light bulbs that take 15 times longer and release 90% less heat than incandescent lamps. The upgrading of the interior lighting usually fulfills the authorization obligations for tax benefits.
2. Get involved with the community
As a critical player in your local social and economic development, your community should give something back to the community to increase your sustainability. Activities and voluntary opportunities for teams to improve their commitment can include:
- Work on sustainability projects with non -profit organizations, schools, urban government agencies and participants.
- Donate or donate financial contributions and services to support community sustainability projects.
- Creation of a joint garden to maximize green spaces, to remedy the uncertainty of the food and to promote sustainable agriculture.
You can even call your local department for parks and relaxation to organize a clean -up event for your employees and invite the residents to participate. Tree planting can be another option for the absorption of harmful emissions. Despite strict air quality standards, 90% of the people breathe air that exceed safe pollution limits.
3. Promote remote work
In recent years there has been a push-and-pull between companies and its employees about long-distance work. While some companies claim that this hinders the cooperation, an expert has indicated that productivity among those who work from home has recorded an increase in productivity of 3 to 5%. This is probably due to fewer distractions and interruptions of your workflow.
However, studies show further potential benefits – lower transport emissions. According to a study, 10% fewer employees could reduce the annual commuter carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) by 10% -191.8 million tons of CO2.
Remote employees may also have a 54% lower CO2 footprint than employees on site. Hybrid arrangements also have a positive effect. Working from two to four times a week can reduce CO2 emissions by 11%-29%. One main reason for this is less energy consumption in the office.
4. Creation of a workplace waste management
Findings from a Deloitte survey show that 69% of employees want to invest their workplace in sustainability. In the meantime, 42% of the companies say that the morals of employees were the most important result of their efforts.
By developing a waste management program, your company can make progress in its sustainability benchmarks and at the same time promote the participation of the employees. This program could include recycling, placing more accessible garbage buckets or even starting a composting station on site. Hanging signs for reducing waste and the offer of instructions about what to recycle will enable employees to do more.
5. Green the supply chain
Your supply chain may be the biggest culprit of your CO2 footprint. Work with suppliers and providers who appreciate sustainability and have fewer waste of their own environmental goals such as generation, maintain water or reduce emissions. In particular, those who have environmentally friendly certifications have shown their transparency and commitment to improve a greener world.
Patagonia, outdoor clothing brand, is known for its ecological administration and ethical business practices. The company recently worked with the non-profit canopy to create paper packaging materials from agricultural waste and non-forest fibers. The Pack4Good initiative of Canopy will help Patagonia to alleviate the design in old and in need of protection and protect endangered plant and animal species.
Unilever also focuses on the development of a greener supply chain. The company started its supplier climate program in 2021 and headed around 300 suppliers to achieve their own sustainability goals. These suppliers are the key to Unilever who reach their climate goals and affect almost 50% of indirect emissions from raw material functions, ingredients and packaging.
Green business: small steps, enormous effects
Companies have enormous effects on the environment. Fortunately, your commitment to improve the planet enables you to increase your reputation and to stand out to your greatest competitors. Through sustainable business practices and initiatives, you can ensure that your company is more part of the solution than the problem.