As consumers, we’re all increasingly aware of the importance of being environmentally friendly. It’s very important that organisations also strive to be sustainable - not just from a moral perspective, but also from a business perspective. The bottom line is, making a conscious effort to reduce your carbon footprint will help to save the planet, while also increasing the appeal of your company and potentially boosting sales.

For small business owners, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to improving your green credentials. SMEs may not necessarily have the money to invest in renewable energy sources and sophisticated green processes.

Here are some simple and cost-effective ways that small businesses can lessen their carbon footprint.

1. Leave the car at home

Leaving the car at home or encouraging car sharing among employees will decrease the amount of harmful emissions polluting the environment. Encouraging employees to walk or cycle to work is great for physical and mental well-being and will also boost your organisation’s sustainability.

2. Reducing single-use plastics

Lower the amount of waste our company produces by encouraging employees to use reusable cups, containers and refillable water bottles. If you have an office kitchen for employees use bulk containers for condiments rather than single-use throwaway servings.

3. Allow employees to work from home

 Giving your staff the option to work from home - even if it’s just for one day a week - is a fantastic way to ‘go green’. Thinking twice about the need for face-to-face meetings and replacing them with video conferencing will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by vehicles.

4. Introduce small sustainable changes

Simple things like composting your kitchen waste, converting to warm-air hand dryers rather than paper towels in bathrooms, reducing water usage by fixing any faulty taps and ensuring you turn off lights and electrics when they are not in use will make a massive difference in improving your sustainability.

5. Opt for green procurement

 Sourcing goods and services from a supplier who is environmentally friendly is a great way to improve your green credentials. Review your environmental policy and make sure purchased goods are made from toxic-free materials which can be reused or recycled and that goods do not make use of excessive packaging.

If you’d like support in developing your sustainability communications strategy, get in touch with Only Marketing today.