These days, “business as usual” is no longer enough. Consumers, employees, and customers increasingly demand environmental responsibility. Embracing sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do; it can also boost your brand reputation, attract talent, and even save you money.
By prioritising initiatives that are feasible, measurable, and resonate with your employees and customers, you can start making tangible progress towards a more ethical and environmentally responsible future. Small, consistent steps can lead to substantial cumulative effects over time, inspiring others and demonstrating that every effort counts.
∙ Image above from Eco Chic Cottages who proudly make a contribution to preserving the environment and reducing global warming while offering luxury accommodation in the Cotswolds ∙
Here are twenty one actionable steps your business can take to become greener and more sustainable:
Your business doesn’t need to implement every single item on this extensive list to make a meaningful impact. Even focusing on a few key areas that align with your core values and business operations can create significant positive change.
1. Embrace energy efficiency: Conduct an energy audit to identify areas for improvement. Switch to LED lighting, upgrade to energy-efficient appliances, and implement smart thermostats. Encourage employees to power down equipment at the end of the day.
2. Source sustainably: Prioritise local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions and support your community. Opt for Fair Trade and sustainably sourced materials whenever possible. Consider the entire lifecycle of your products and packaging.
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle: Implement a comprehensive waste management program. Provide clearly labelled bins for recycling and composting. Encourage employees to minimise waste and reuse materials. Explore opportunities to reduce packaging and switch to recyclable or biodegradable options.
4. Conserve water: Install low-flow fixtures in restrooms and kitchens. Monitor water usage and identify potential leaks. If applicable, explore rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses like irrigation.
5. Green your commute: Encourage employees to carpool, cycle, or use public transportation by offering incentives or facilitating ride-sharing programs. Consider installing bike racks or providing electric vehicle charging stations.
6. Go digital: Reduce paper consumption by transitioning to digital workflows for invoices, documents, and communication. Utilise cloud-based storage and collaboration tools.
7. Invest in renewable energy: Explore options for on-site renewable energy generation, such as solar panels. If direct installation isn’t feasible, consider purchasing renewable energy certificates or partnering with green energy providers.
8. Engage your employees: Educate your team about your sustainability initiatives and encourage their participation. Implement suggestion schemes for green ideas and recognise their efforts. Make sustainability a part of your company culture.
9. Partner with green organisations: Collaborate with local environmental groups or sustainability consultants to gain expertise and support for your initiatives. Consider sponsoring conservation projects or participating in community clean-up efforts.
10. Communicate your efforts transparently: Share your sustainability journey with your customers and stakeholders through your website, social media, and marketing materials. Be honest about your progress and challenges, building trust and demonstrating your commitment.
11. Embrace green cleaning practices: Switch to eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Explore reusable cleaning cloths and minimise the use of disposable wipes. Consider partnering with green cleaning services.
12. Optimise your supply chain logistics: Analyse your transportation routes to identify opportunities for consolidation and efficiency. Explore using lower-emission vehicles or partnering with logistics companies committed to sustainability.
13. Support sustainable food and beverage choices: If your business provides catering or has a cafeteria, prioritise locally sourced, seasonal, and plant-based options. Reduce food waste through careful planning and composting.
14. Invest in carbon offsetting: For unavoidable emissions, research reputable carbon offsetting programs that invest in projects like reforestation or renewable energy development.
15. Promote sustainable product lifecycles: Design products for durability, repairability, and recyclability. Offer repair services or take-back programs to extend the life of your products and reduce waste.
16. Green your landscaping: If your business has outdoor spaces, choose native, drought-tolerant plants to reduce water consumption and support local biodiversity. Avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilisers. Consider creating green roofs or living walls for insulation and stormwater management.
17. Implement sustainable printing practices: Default to double-sided printing and black and white. Use recycled paper with a high post-consumer waste content. Encourage employees to proofread carefully to minimise printing errors.
18. Host green events: When organising meetings or events, choose sustainable venues, minimise waste, offer plant-based food options, and encourage attendees to use public transport.
19. Offer sustainable products or services: Explore opportunities to develop and offer products or services that directly address environmental challenges or provide greener alternatives to conventional options.
20. Continuously monitor and improve: Regularly track your environmental impact across different areas (energy, waste, water, etc.). Set targets for improvement and periodically review your sustainability strategies to identify new opportunities and ensure ongoing progress.
21. Prioritise plant-based alternatives in all operations:
Extend your commitment beyond just catering. Examine every aspect of your business where animal-derived products might be used and actively seek vegan alternatives. This could include:
- Office supplies: Opt for vegan leather alternatives for notebooks or organisers. Ensure glues and inks in stationery are plant-based.
- Cleaning and maintenance: As already mentioned with green cleaning, specifically ensure cleaning products are certified vegan and cruelty-free.
- Uniforms and textiles: If applicable, choose uniforms and other textiles made from sustainable and vegan materials like organic cotton, hemp, or recycled fibres, ensuring dyes and treatments are also vegan.
- Promotional items: Select promotional merchandise that is both sustainable and vegan, avoiding leather, wool, or other animal-derived materials.
This demonstrates a deep and consistent commitment to both veganism and sustainability that permeates all facets of your business operations.
The sustainability journey
Becoming a truly sustainable business is a journey, not a destination. By taking these initial steps and continuously seeking opportunities for improvement, you can create a positive impact on the environment while building a more resilient and responsible organisation.
∙ Eco Chic Cottages is a multi award winning tourism company. They are members of Green Tourism and are proud to hold the Gold Award for their sustainable efforts ∙
