Small business, big carbon footprint? 6 ways to be a greener business owner

Starting a new business? Then you’re probably pretty busy.

There’s a never-ending to-do list, a billion decisions to make, and now you’re supposed to think about your carbon footprint too?!

Corporate social responsibility isn’t always top of the agenda for new business owners, but by pushing it to the side for later, you might actually be missing a trick. There’s a lot to be gained when sustainability is baked into your business model from the get-go.

Here’s why and how you should make the time to think green from those very early stages of business development.

Why is it important to “think green"?

Your company creates a carbon footprint — that’s true whatever your brand does, and however you make your money. Thinking green (and reducing that footprint) is good for the planet, but it’s also good for your business...

Eco-thinking keeps you one step ahead of compliance

Small businesses are typically under less pressure than big multinationals when it comes to corporate social responsibility. But governments around the world have committed to The Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperatures and harmful emissions.

As a result, in the US and the UK, for example, governments have pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This will inevitably, eventually, affect businesses — both big and small.

Environmental regulations are going to be par for the course when running a business. Make eco-minded operations the status quo for your company now and you’ll stay one step ahead of the curve.

Customers are demanding it

Regulations aren’t the only reason you should go green. Consumers are increasingly concerned with the social, ethical and environmental credentials of the brands they shop from.

In fact, nearly 70% of consumers in the US and Canada think it’s important that a brand is sustainable or eco-friendly. And they’re actually willing to pay more to vote with their wallets.

Businesses who truly embrace environmentally-friendly operations (and make this stance clear to customers) also stand to make more sales. Researchers found that sales of products marketed as sustainable grew more than seven times faster versus other products between 2015 and 2019.

Ultimately, your brand’s sustainability can really impact your bottom line.

Having values can help save you time

Your hours are precious as a business owner! People and projects require your sign-off all the time and the decisions you’re making can often be high stakes.

When you have an ethical framework to inform those decisions, though, the process can become much, much easier. Is that packaging recyclable? Yes? Great, let’s go! Does that supplier pay a fair wage to their workers? No? Then strike them off the list.

6 ways to be a greener business owner today

So how can you help the planet and reap the business benefits of eco-friendly operations? Try putting these green business tips into action.

Tick off the basics

Start by doing all the things you’re doing at home to help the environment.

Recycle. Conserve water. Pick a green energy supplier. Go paperless for bank statements and with the team at the tax office. Buy energy-efficient appliances.

You should also switch electricals off when you’re not using them, and turn your laptop off at the end of the day rather than leaving it on standby (this is good for your wellbeing and work-life balance too!).  

Use sustainable packaging

Regularly sending products out to your customers? Then think carefully about the packaging you use.

To limit your impact on the planet, packaging should be reusable, recyclable and/or made from recycled, sustainable materials. That means absolutely no plastic wherever it can be avoided!

Seek out companies like Noissue for customizable and eco-friendly business packaging options. Being sustainable doesn’t have to mean compromising on your visual brand language.

Donate 10% of your profits to an environmental charity

Do your research and find an environmental charity you can get behind. Then “give back” by sending a portion of every sale their way.

Customers will feel good that their purchase is helping a wider social cause, which could even boost brand loyalty. And — if you establish this kind of partnership early on in the life of your business — you’ll never even miss that revenue.

Check out our dedicated guide on charitable giving, right here.

Donate to offset your carbon

While minimizing the carbon dioxide produced by your business operations should be your main objective, you can also offset any carbon your business does produce.

Offsetting your carbon means calculating how much carbon your business creates, then donating to (reputable) carbon removal initiatives around the world to achieve carbon neutral status.

Some brands (like Microsoft and BrewDog) have gone one step further and are aiming to be carbon negative, effectively taking more carbon out of the atmosphere than they release. One step at a time though, eh?

Experiment with circular economies

The vast majority of businesses were built on a linear model — they take resources from the planet, they make products from them, and when those products are finished with, they go to landfill.

A circular business model tries to avoid anything going to landfill.

Recycled materials are used in production practices. Products are made to last and can be easily repaired. Products that are sent to a customer are easy to recycle or are even collected by the company who recycle and reuse materials themselves.

IKEA, for example, is aiming to become a completely circular economy business. They are planning to make durable, adaptable furniture. And when an item of furniture is no longer needed by a customer, IKEA will collect it and refurbish it to make something new.

Achieving a completely circular model for your brand may feel a tad ambitious. But even taking baby steps to reduce waste will make a difference. What happens to materials you don’t need once a product is made? That’s a good place to start.

Check on your whole supply chain

You might be doing your utmost to minimize environmental impact, but if your manufacturers or suppliers or energy company aren’t working sustainably it will undermine your brand’s eco-friendly commitments.

Know who you’re working with and stay informed about every link in your supply chain. That way you know you’re offering a truly sustainable product or service to your customers.

Don’t forget to tell your customers!

You’re doing all this fantastic eco-friendly work behind the scenes, but how are you planning to tell prospective customers about your brand’s sustainability? 

Get in touch with Street Designed to find out how your branding and website can spread the word and boost your sales.