Three tips for small businesses who want to adopt a greener approach
Studies show that eco friendly businesses tend to snap up better paying and more loyal customers. As a small business looking for a fair share of the market, those facts might just appeal to you.
After all, it’s easier to go green than you might think. And if investing in sustainability gives you almost a guaranteed chance to attract more customers, there’s no reason not to try it out.
So, want to go green in your business? Here are 3 tips that will get you started.
Go as paperless as possible
It’s the most basic, simple thing to do as a business owner trying to adopt a greener approach. But it works! So we’re going to recommend it as part of our starter tip-set.
Being paperless means avoiding the need for paper in the first place, and not just limiting the amount of paper you use. Whatever paper packs might still be in your supply closet now, try to make them last as long as possible.
Instead, use digital note apps to keep track of important memos. Similarly, use cloud storage for important details, where you can still lock data away where it’s safe (and back it up just in case).
Try to avoid shipping by air
Air freight tends to be fast and easy, but it also comes with a massive carbon footprint. You might save money on delivery fees, and your customers may get their packages a bit faster, but it’s not worth the environmental toll.
Try to avoid shipping by air, wherever possible. Of course, as a small business, you’re likely to only need local or regional couriers to take parcels back and forth.
But if you ever want to expand overseas, focus on shipping by the seas themselves. Logistics like sea freight services tend to be more cost effective, less carbon pumping, and still get orders out in a reasonable time frame.
Only work with green suppliers
When the start of your supply chain is as green as you, your overall carbon emissions will get lower and lower over time.
The materials you use, in both your product design and creation, as well as the equipment you work with, are best when they’re made from recycled materials. You should also double check the way the supplier ships out their stock, as you’ll need to see a clearly outlined delivery process that puts the environment first.
Plus, green suppliers tend to have their own product recycling programs. If you’re not able to recycle any materials or equipment due to restrictive policies in the local area, send it back to the supplier and they’ll take care of it.
Could your small business go green?
Think about ways to apply green working methods. When you’re a small business with a green mind, you can boost your profits, attract more customers, and refine a sustainable reputation.
All of these are great for business, and they’re all possible to manage even on the small-size side of enterprise.
