Increased awareness of environmental issues has put the green credentials of companies in the spotlight. A recent survey by Unilever highlights that 33% of customers now actively choose eco-friendly brands when selecting products and services. This means companies must make existing and potential customers aware of the steps they are taking to be more environmentally sustainable. By not doing so, they risk losing out on millions of pounds worth of potential business. But going green is easier said than done but there are actually many useful sustainable business ideas for companies to start following. Each industry is different and faces its unique challenges. However, there are things that all companies can do right now to become more environmentally-friendly and improve their sustainability by implementing some sustainable business practices.
5 ways companies can be more sustainable
1. Develop a zero waste to landfill policy
Emissions from landfill have been steadily falling in the UK since 1990. This is due to methane capture technologies being deployed across major landfill sites. But the downward trend is levelling off and the sector is still responsible for around 3 per cent of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the amount of waste companies send to landfill is, therefore, one of the most effective ways of improving sustainability. Companies should be looking at deploying zero waste to landfill policies across all their sites wherever possible. Developing an effective zero waste to landfill policy will require a detailed assessment of production processes and existing waste management practices. Fortunately the Carbon Trust has developed a set of resources to help companies develop, manage and certify their efforts.
2. Sustainable business practices: Reduce paper and cardboard usage
Most companies have reduced the amount of paper they use in the office. But this has failed to offset the amount of paper and cardboard used in other areas such as packaging. A recent report from Wrap UK highlights that UK paper and cardboard usage has increased by 5 per cent each year since 2014. The vast majority of this increase can be attributed to the home delivery sector, which increased consumption by 0.3Mt of paper during the period. Companies can help offset this increase in paper usage by rethinking their packaging materials. Several sustainable alternatives are available for paper and cardboard including materials made from cornstarch, mushrooms and even seaweed.
3. Monitor the power consumption of production processes
Manufacturers need to keep a careful eye on production costs to maintain profitability. By monitoring the power consumption for each production process, companies can easily identify areas for improvement. Monitoring energy consumption is easier today than ever before thanks to Schneider EcoStruxure. Sensors can be deployed on individual circuits to provide real-time energy monitoring, and this data can then be accessed through an online portal for detailed analysis. Useful and sustainable business ideas could be replacing machinery and equipment with more environmentally friendly options. For example, if you use air compressors for your business, variable speed drive compressors are usually a better green option than fixed rate air compressors. Companies can do their research and discover the many useful environmental benefits of air compressors for their business.
4. Improve the efficiency rating of buildings
The Government’s Energy Efficiency Rating has forced us all to look at improving the energy efficiency of our homes. But as legislation currently stands, non-domestic buildings only have to achieve an ‘E’ rating before they can be let. That is set to change, however, as the Government has set a target that all non-domestic buildings must achieve a ‘C’ rating by the year 2027. So if your current building does not meet this standard, you should look at making improvements sooner rather than later. Several grants are available to help offset the cost. For example, the Carbon Trust offers grants of up to £5,000 for small and mid-size companies to replace inefficient lighting with more energy-efficient LEDs. Check out GOV.UK for more information about the grants available for your business.
5. Sustainable business ideas: Work with eco-friendly suppliers
To promote green credentials, companies must understand the full environmental impact of their manufacturing and service operations, and that includes the impact of suppliers. Just like consumers, business owners need to prioritise environmental considerations when choosing which companies to partner with. One thing which companies can add to their list of sustainable business ideas to try out is looking for companies that have accredited status from official organisations such as the Carbon Trust or Certified B.
