Following on from Earthshot and Cop26, the environment and environmental issues are thankfully having more of a spotlight – we can all do something to support our planet and make it a place which continually thrives in the future.
Environmental sustainability has become a pressing concern, and businesses of all sizes play a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet. We impact our families, our community and ultimately the population through the services we provide and the products we sell. While large corporations are often seen to be either at war with sustainability or making world-wide changes, small businesses also have the power to make a significant impact.
In fact, our creativity and community-focussed approach can make us great drivers in creating positive change, starting with our own small circle of influence. I’ve highlighted a few ways in which we can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future through our businesses. By addressing one or more of these ideas, we can not only reduce our ecological footprint but also be an inspiration to others to try. Together, we can create a world where business success goes hand in hand with supporting our beautiful environment, benefiting our local world now to ensure our planet’s future survival.
Something to note – it needn’t be a massive undertaking.
It can feel overwhelming when we take in all the news reports, statistics, presentations, social media posts, world summits, politics, natural disasters, and so on – and where do we start looking for a way to put our own green fingerprint on our local environment when there’s such a huge world needing our support?
Starting local impacts globally. It can be as simple as taking a reusable cup for a coffee walk, instead of accepting a paper cup and lid from the café – this small action alone can see a reduction of carbon emissions by a dramatic 69%.
One cup making this impact, imagine what one business could do.
As a small business owner, it can feel tricky to stay green and above the profit line when there are so many options available for cheaper packaging, processes and suppliers out there. And whilst it can be a balancing act between cost to you and cost to the planet, there are some smaller, simple actions to take that will still help, and cumulatively make that all important impact.
I’ve dropped these 8 ideas below, some taken from clients and my own experience too, so you know they are also actionable:
Buy local.
You’ve likely heard this a lot. But buying local has a butterfly effect of positivity on our environment – the local economy is supported by the community, which helps it to thrive for investing into environmental initiatives.
One thriving town will then in turn support the neighbouring towns, which in turn lifts the area and then the region, into being more environmentally aware and thus inspirational to neighbouring regions across the country and beyond.
Support local delivery options and explore eco-friendly shipping methods.
A great option for supporting your local economy and the planet too, is to use a local delivery service.
If this isn’t available to you, you could look into eco-friendly companies who offset carbon emissions or who also promote being environmentally friendly. I’ve included a few to start with below:
Royal Mail – green option
DPD – green option
Embrace paperless technology.
Another vote for being paper-free, we see this increasingly more in shops and restaurants where they email your receipt or use a QR code for the menu. Can you also offer email-only invoicing and receipts, or maybe go digital with your filing? To start, make a quick audit on how paper is used across your business, both for your customers / clients and for the running of the business, maybe there is something that can be replaced by a digital option.
Use durable, reusable products.
You’ve likely heard this before for recycling at home – Reduce, reuse, recycle. This also applies to our business, to be carried out wherever possible. For example, can you re-use any packaging materials or promote a recycling scheme with customers – some makers I know offer a discount on their next order when they return the containers; another uses old packaging to make shredded infill for their own packing boxes. Is there something you could also offer / reuse? Or maybe change your supplier so that you can offer something similar. On the back of that…
…Buy from sustainable suppliers.
Think about the products you sell and who you purchase from for your business, or what you buy as a business owner to work from home, how much do you really know about who you are buying from? Do you know if they have a negative impact on the environment? Are they contributing to our world’s pollution? How do they dispose of their rubbish? Are they promoting green strategies and procedures with their staff? Are they B-Corp or working towards being more sustainable?
Supporting these companies helps them to succeed and makes them more accessible and widely available for people to use. If it’s possible, switch out one of your materials or purchases for a more sustainable option – it could even be removing the plastic-coated sticker on an envelope in favour of a paper-based option. You could also ask your audience how they feel about a new option and get some feedback to help decide which might be best to change. There are increasingly more eco-options being made available, especially in the movement towards less plastic and reducing single-use plastics. Not sure where to look…
…Connect with other eco-conscious businesses and organisations
This is great for networking and for strengthening green initiatives within the community. Look for like-minded businesses who are also looking to move towards being more environmentally friendly, or who are already recognised for their sustainability. Maybe you can partner on shipping, resources or supporting initiatives. You could also support green causes through charitable donations, promoting them in your marketing, helping to raise awareness and funds, or donating to a local environmental charity.
A great example of this is North Sea Rejects, whose bracelets are made from washed up fishing nets, helping to support ocean conservation across the UK. One year, I used Black Friday to promote my own Bright Friday, donating proceeds from sales to my local Northumberland Wildlife Trust, who were working on their Living Seas project.
Offset carbon emissions.
A nice one to consider that’s online and easy to do, is to offset your carbon emissions. I’ve included the free calculator here that you can use. The payments made support environmental initiatives across the globe, and is something you can do from the comfort of your desk.
Last but not least, use the power of your words:
Talk to your clients and customers
– start locally to impact globally.
Encouraging customers to reduce their environmental impact is highly effective for promoting sustainability, and fairly easy to do with opening the conversation. We can support by providing information about organisations, charities and initiatives, offer incentives to make greener choices, such as providing eco-friendly options, actively promoting recycling, and sharing how you are striving to be more eco-friendly. Whether you are a customer facing business talking at craft fairs, or a service-based business online, you can start the conversation and foster a culture of taking responsibility for being green.
You can share your own eco-journey with your audience on social media, newsletters, or dedicated sections on your website. Mine are here:
By sharing information about eco-friendly initiatives, materials, or suppliers, we can cause a small ripple effect, starting with our own audience, leading by example, and sharing ideas with others to increase our impact. Raising awareness and inspiring customers to make greener choices will help contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Small business can definitely make a strong impact!
I’d love to know how you get on! Ask me anything, and I’ll do my best to help.
A x
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