It’s not easy to be known as an Eco-Friendly brand. Especially when so many brands present themselves as ecological and make a lot of noise on social networks and traditional media, even if they do not follow the practices.
Here are some practical tips to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and show the world what you want to do.
Use sustainable materials
The first step in becoming an eco-friendly company is to analyze your company’s energy impact – it starts with the products and services you offer – as well as the suppliers you work with, the packaging you use, the efficiency of your company way of its workers.
Using sustainable materials is an essential first step in making your brand an eco-friendly business, so ask yourself the following questions to help you determine the steps you need to take to help your business hurt the market environment.
Are your products made of plastic? In that case, make sure they are recyclable and, if possible, make them from recycled materials. Label them with the appropriate recycling symbols. Create a section on your website explaining why you chose to use the material you created. In this way, you show people not only what you do for the environment, but also what they can do.
Do your employees work individually and primarily by phone or computer? If your business model doesn’t require continuous collaboration, consider allowing employees to work remotely on certain days or even full-time. This reduces daily commuting and saves on lighting and heating maintenance costs. Enabling telecommuting improves employee morale and efficiency.
Are your products made of wood? In that case, make sure it comes from sustainable sources. See also wood with certificates such as the Sustainable Forest Initiative, which ensures that wood is harvested in the right places and in a sustainable way.
Does your building meet current energy standards? Look for a green certification like LEED and see what changes you need to make to get it. Even if you don’t meet all certification qualifications, you can probably make improvements to reduce your carbon footprint. And when you try to reduce your building’s energy output, you almost always save money.
Can your packaging be improved or eliminated? Encourage people to recycle it if you use plastic packaging. But also think about whether you really need packaging. If the product is not unpacked, look for reusable options such as cardboard instead of disposable plastic, which is immediately destroyed and thrown away.
Recycle and donate
When it comes time to upgrade equipment or clean the office, the goal is to minimize the items that go to landfills.
Find schools and organizations that need computers, printers, and other technologies. If electronics are really taking off, use an electronics recycling service that prevents harmful materials from ending up in landfills and getting lost in the water supply.
Invite others to join
Engage your employees to keep the impact of office energy low. Hang posters around the office to encourage them to keep the lights off and use natural light through the windows. Keep trash cans and compost in the office (and provide instructions). Make sure your support team properly disposes of the contents of each trash can.
You can also partner with other companies to create green opportunities or work together to reduce energy production.
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These are just a few starting points when trying to establish your company as an environmentally conscious brand. Have you tried other tactics? Share your experiences in the comments.