Sustainability is a complex concept, and it is necessary we realize its importance. To have a cleaner environment, consumers need to change their behavior in regards to how they consume and corporations in how they conduct business. In addition to more eco-friendly consumerism, it is essential households and businesses learn how to recycle effectively.
Changing habits is not an easy task to do, especially when you have been used to doing things a certain way for a long time. In recent years, people have been flooded with information about how necessary it is to become environmentally aware. Moreover, it is essential to acknowledge that the consequences of not being more eco-friendly can be massive. However, even if consumers are starting to prioritize sustainable activities, some businesses are still struggling with finding a way to implement green practices efficiently.
What can you do as an entrepreneur to shift your actions towards a more sustainable business practice?
Reduce commuting
Most consumers have already employed activities for a more sustainable living, so chances are your employees will be highly interested in implementing specific strategies at the workplace. On the other hand, if your workers are not accustomed to sustainable practices, it is even more beneficial that you as a company set an example. Not only will you have a positive impact on the environment, but you will also show your employees an opportunity for change.
As a business, you can apply several ideas at the workplace – you can start small, but it will make a big difference. For example, many professionals spend a great deal commuting. Whether it is by car, train, or subway, this has a massive impact on the air quality. Pollution is one of the biggest challenges to combat. There are greener ways of transportation, so your employees will have an alternative to commuting.
You could encourage your employers to travel by bicycle if the distance allows it. So, make sure you have bicycle lanes and designated areas where employees can safely park them. The same can be applied to your customers.
Depending on the nature of the job, entrepreneurs could consider implementing a work-from-home strategy. This doesn’t have to be necessarily on a daily basis, but even cutting the time spent on commuting every week could make a difference.
Consistent recycling in the workplace
It isn’t rocket science to do recycling well. But it takes patience and discipline. If this can be more easily done in your household, proper recycling can be challenging for business practices. A first step would be to properly educate your employees and make it part of your work culture to be involved in recycling.
Some people might not realize the importance of recycling, and as you want to avoid any misinformation, it is essential you teach the people who are part of your organization. You have to start somewhere anyway. So, as a team-building activity, you could include watching documentaries about the importance of recycling correctly and consistently. This way, when you start implementing changes around the office, such as designated bins for paper, plastic, and glass, your employees will be encouraged to use them.
Consistent recycling in the production process
For a business to be perfectly green and devoted to being environmentally friendly, it has to improve its entire process. Apart from introducing recycling bins within the workspace and encouraging eco-friendly behaviors in the company’s culture, you have to look further across all your business activities.
Regardless of the type of business you have, whether it is retail and you have to manage distribution centers, or your work is in the hospitality industry, there are professional recycling companies that can help you get rid of your waste. This way, you can continue with your business activities, but you also value taking care of the environment. Moreover, no matter the size of your business, there are options that can suit the business’ needs, such as Miltek Balers & Compactors. Integrating this into your business model goes a long way. Your workers will inevitably become more environmentally aware, and you are on the right path to becoming a greener company.
Electronics
Nowadays, as technology has become such a vital part of anyone’s lives, electronic devices and gadgets are highly essential in any business. However, electronics don’t last forever. What’s more, technological innovation is increasing, and there is always a newer version being produced. So, discarding electronics can be a struggle. Known as e-waste, this type of equipment contains various materials, from metal and plastic to certain chemicals, such as mercury, all of which damage the environment significantly when you dispose of them inappropriately.
To put things into perspective, of the e-waste produced globally, which has massively increased in the last years, only 17.4% of electronics have been recycled. However, consumer behavior is starting to change as people realize the negative impact e-waste has on the environment.
For this reason, businesses must realize the importance of taking care of their electronic devices in a responsible way. Things you can do include:
- Regular maintenance: Business managers should make sure the IT department does maintenance updates regularly to avoid any technical issues which cut the device’s life short.
- Trade-in: Most electronic providers offer recycling programs, so whenever a piece of technology cannot be repaired, they are equipped to recycle it properly and reuse some of its components and materials.
Implementing at least one of the eco-friendly strategies mentioned above will have less of a negative impact on the environment. In addition to becoming more “green” and changing your business culture and your employers’ habits for the better, your customers who are actively involved in eco-friendly activities will appreciate your business even more. Also, you shouldn’t underestimate the influence these actions might have on other people.
When you are actively involved in important issues such as sustainability and show that a business can still perform well, others will start following your example.
