A growing number against irresponsible consumption and plastic products is just one of the signs that sustainability is becoming more and more important to people. But what does that mean for your company, and how can you create – or shift to – a more sustainable attitude? Can you redesign your business model to become a sustainable business model?
The new normalcy is sharpening the appetite for sustainability at local, national, and global levels convincing brands to develop and embed business practices to ensure they survive and thrive in a post-pandemic environment.
To survive and thrive in a post-Covid environment, businesses need to achieve long-term sustainability strategies that allow them to capture opportunities and form their post-pandemic futures. However, before making the switch, brands need to fully understand what sustainability is, and more importantly, what makes a sustainable business model. Read on for more details.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability strongly assumes that our resources are finite and so should be used conservatively and diligently to ensure that there is enough for generations to come without decreasing the present quality of life. A sustainable culture must be socially responsible, emphasizing environmental protection and dynamic equilibrium in the natural and human systems.
Why is it important? Because people cannot maintain Earth’s ecosystems or continue to function as we do if more sustainable choices are not made. If our way of life is maintained with no change, there is likely that huge numbers of animal species will become extinct, we will run out of fossil fuels, and the atmosphere will be irreparably damaged. Nontoxic atmospheric conditions and clean air, water quality, growth resources that can be relied upon and cleanliness, are all advantages of sustainability.
If you’re thinking about the impact your business is having on the environment and the impact your business is having on the environment, now could be the perfect time to adapt in order to thrive and survive in a new post-pandemic era. And here’s how:
Choose a Renewable Energy
Perhaps a great factor in creating a sustainable business model is choosing the smartest source of energy. Businesses have a moral – and often legal – duty to ensure that operations have little impact on the environment as possible, which could, in turn, bring positive results, financially speaking. Switching to renewable energy is a smart first step in decreasing your company’s carbon footprint.
If your business operates in a retail space or out of an office, consider installing solar panels to the roof to power your buildings. Also, you might want to consider taking advantage of good roof space at larger-scale commercial properties by investing in solar power.
Such solutions could also help your company make considerable financial savings longer term. Solar professionals say that PV systems provide electricity at a rate of 5 pence per kWh, in contrast with the current grid-supplied rate of nearly 15p per unit.
More large-scale processes might consider using other forms of renewable energy such as biomass, wind, or geothermal systems.
Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle
This saying has been drummed into us over the years, and while such a direct phrase can’t solve all our problems, it has provided a basic hierarchy on what we can do to better our environment.
Taking into account the scale of the environmental quandary we’re currently experiencing, it’s obvious that the phrase hasn’t stood the test of time. The reason? Reduce, re-use, recycle, oversimplify a very complex issue and has a narrow focus. Most companies still lean heavily on it as their guideline principle, causing them to lag behind new trends and become too reactive in the approach to sustainability.
However, taking stock of your business using disposable materials can also have a great impact on sustainability. Educate your employees to use less single-use plastic packaging and promote more recyclable material instead. Most companies in Sweden have already invested in waste presses, compactors, and bale presses to encourage employees to recycle and give a “green” example to those who do not.
What’s more, re-using materials where possible is an even better way to minimize your business’s carbon footprint. If several uses mean that your materials are no longer fit for purpose, imagine how those materials could be used elsewhere within your company instead of procuring more materials externally.
Reducing the use of paper, plastic, and other disposable materials altogether is perhaps the best way to become sustainable. Take your time to assess what is necessary when reviewing your packaging and aim to reach a balance between convenience, environmental impact, and aesthetic presentation.
Switch to Electric
The way your company delivers services and goods is also an important factor in decreasing your carbon footprint. Transportation can have a great impact on your business’s carbon emissions, therefore it’s always a smart move to implement changes to offset this as much as possible.
Minimizing the number of miles traveled in conjunction with your business’s endeavors is a good place to start, such as procuring goods from local suppliers. Merging your deliveries into as few trips as possible is also a good step towards sustainability.
If your company operates a fleet of vehicles to offer services in your community, then you should replace some diesel and petrol vehicles with electric or hybrid ones. In doing so, you will save money on fuel costs and will go a long way towards balancing your company’s carbon footprint.
Or cycle to work…
Your employees may also reap some benefits if you opt for the Government’s Cycle to Work program. The fee exemption allows workers to buy bicycles and cycling equipment without taxes and allows them to pay for them over a period of time. The program – which is completely free to join – was started to encourage healthy living and green travel amongst workers, and opting for it will certainly boost your business’s green status.
Remote work can also have environmental benefits – less travel by public transport or car can reduce our emission on a personal level. If possible, consider allowing employees to continue to work from home where necessary.
