With global warming on the rise, soaring electricity and energy rates, and an increasing number of countries taking tangible steps toward reducing carbon emissions, there’s never been a better time to go green. In particular, the UK government has pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050, encouraging both business owners and homeowners alike to opt for eco-friendly alternatives when it comes to heating and powering their homes and workplaces.
If you own a business in the UK and you’re interested in making your operations and supply chain more eco-friendly, it’s never been easier to make your business greener – but how can you best go about reducing your brand’s carbon footprint and making your business more eco-friendly?
Source from sustainable suppliers
If you want to make your business more eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll need to adjust every element of the supply chain – this includes ensuring that you only source sustainable materials from green suppliers. Wherever possible, try to source materials from FSC-certified suppliers and carbon-neutral companies when it comes to manufacturing, packaging, and promoting your products, whether that be producing eco-friendly business cards or using plastic-free packaging.
Green procurement can significantly lower your carbon footprint and go a long way in boosting the sustainability of the final product before the manufacturing stage.
Power
In the same way that opting for green energy alternatives in the home can go a long way in reducing utility outgoings and boosting efficiency, using renewable energy sources to power your business can directly reduce your carbon footprint and make your company more eco-friendly overnight.
The most common eco-friendly energy alternatives with business owners in the UK include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydropower. As well as investing in green energy for your everyday operations, encourage your staff to take a more conscious approach to their use of power in the workplace, whether that be unplugging appliances when not in use, switching off lights, or limiting their use of heavy machinery unless necessary.
Recycle and reuse
As part of your new eco-friendly brand attitude, encourage your staff to recycle, reuse and minimise office waste and rubbish, whether that be food waste, paper documents, or office supplies. You can have a direct impact as a boss by providing your staff with reusable office supplies, cups, and cutlery as well as plenty of recycling bins. Over 70% of office waste is paper-based so try to avoid cluttering up the office and go paper-free wherever possible.
When it comes to electronics, rather than throwing them away you should consider recycling old laptops, printers, and office equipment or donate them to local charities if they are still in working condition. Renovating and fixing your broken electronics can also often be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new hardware.
You may also look to encourage your staff to cycle to work and provide incentives for eco-friendly practices in the workplace. Remember – it pays to go green!
