Welp MagazineThe increasing discourse and research surrounding climate change, global warming and greenhouse gas emissions have meant that more than ever, the general public is gaining awareness of the impact daily activities can have on the planet. With temperatures on the rise, an elevating sea level, and a higher incidence of natural disasters, it has become clear to everyone willing to listen that something needs to change in the way we live our lives and conduct our routines.
Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in the business world. Companies are responsible for a significant portion of global emissions and, as such, must become actively devoted to curbing their impact in order to create a greener, more sustainable world. This is the case for all enterprises. If you run a small or medium size business, you might be tempted to think your impact is inconsequential.
However, your clients don’t view it that way, and this is showcased in the way buying habits have changed. People are increasingly searching for businesses that are aware of their impact on the world and which make conscious decisions to be ethical. If you don’t want to let your loyal customers down, you should make sure you stay up to standards. Since what’s good for the environment also happens to be good for your business, here are some minor changes you should consider.
Encourage public transit commuting
In recent years, remote work has become increasingly popular. Working from home helps employees feel more relaxed and at ease, and it also has positive effects on the environment. Since you don’t have to drive to work, it means you’re creating fewer emissions. However, remote work is not always a feasible option. For some people, it can be challenging to establish a clear balance between work and leisure, ending up doing both unsatisfactorily and halfway. For others, family life might be an issue, as it’s difficult to focus when young children are laughing and playing around. And there are also the people whose jobs can’t be done from home.
For all the people that need to or prefer the office environment, you should encourage the possibility of public transportation. Buses and trains are much greener than individual cars, so they’re a preferable transport option. They also hold a much higher number of passengers, so the same emissions are distributed differently than if they were to be created by only one person. You can take it a step further and incentivise your employees who use public transport. Your HR can devise a strategy that motivates your employees to leave their cars at home at least two or three times a week.
Waste disposal
The way you dispose of waste in the workplace has a big impact on your carbon footprint levels. Sorting out your garbage and sending it to be recycled is very important. When you take this step, you ensure landfills aren’t getting overfilled with items that could have easily been repurposed into new products. Mil-tek can help you find the perfect balers and waste compactors so that you dispose of everything safely and efficiently. You’ll no longer have to worry about containers occupying too much space, unpleasant smells or insect infestations. You’ll have to find a solution that is perfectly fitted to the size and type of enterprise you run. But whether it’s a small shop, restaurant, shipping company, warehouse or pub, you’re definitely going to find something that improves how you dispose of your waste.
Sustainable products
As a general rule, you should try and diminish the amount of stuff you throw away, particularly if it’s non-recyclable. If you use many items that fit into this category, whether in the manufacturing process or for employee use, you might want to consider replacing them with a more suitable alternative. Purchasing more than you need is another pitfall you must avoid at all costs. While it comes from a well-intentioned place, as you don’t want your employees to feel like they’re missing anything and may therefore feel hampered in performing their tasks well, purchasing overkill will inevitably be deleterious to the environment.
Paper is one of the most common issues. As a resource, it is incredibly precious. However, the problem lies in the fact that it’s usually not recycled. Paper is vulnerable to moisture, and if it becomes wet or damaged in any way, it can no longer be reused, as it becomes weak and would result in a subpar recycled product. Whenever you can, try and adopt a digitised approach. This helps reduce the amount of paper you use.
When you choose the products you want to buy, make sure to check their labels. If it reads that the item was made from post- or pre-consumer waste, then it is a green alternative. Recycling maintains the cyclicity of the economy and reduces the number of things that end up in the bin. In some cases, you’ll also have to ensure you don’t buy anything containing harsh, toxic chemicals. Their fabrication process is usually very polluting, with a lot of the resulting waste finding its way into freshwater sources, presenting a serious danger to ecosystems and human health.
Cleaning products are a significant part of this category. If you want to choose a green product, you’re in luck, as recent years have come with an ever-increasing influx of eco-friendly merchandise. You can also support local workers by choosing to purchase from manufacturers working within the cottage industry. It’s an all-around winning situation, as you help the environment, your business, and your community all at once.
When you run a business, you have many things on your plate. You need to make sure your customers are satisfied and want to keep coming back to your business. More importantly, you have a responsibility towards them, as well as your employees and the planet itself, that you’re going to deliver green products and make sure you’re in accordance with the latest environmental regulations. When you check all of these boxes, you can be sure you’ve done your job well.
