Going green is great for the environment, but it also makes a huge amount of business sense. Did you know that many Millennial employees would willingly earn less to work for an environmentally-conscious business? It’s also been shown that, increasingly, consumers want to support sustainable businesses.

Going green can give you an edge over your competitors, save you money and reduce your carbon footprint, which is important as the planet’s coral reefs are dying and its ice caps are melting. It’s time to show that your company cares about the environment and our future. It’s time to show that you’re taking action.

You might have all the best intentions, but how do you start? What can your business do to be more sustainable in the long run? Here are our top tips to build an ethical, sustainable business.

1. Understand Your Supply Chain

Let’s start at the very beginning. Before you can make a real difference, you need to know what you're working with. You need to understand your supply chain and its environmental impact. Once you break it down and get to grips with every single step, you can begin to change things from the ground up and optimise your chain to make more green choices.

Don’t be shy about the changes you’re making — publish updates on your website and social media. Be transparent with the help of traceability software, and demonstrate that your business is making strides towards sustainability.

2. Consider What Meetings Can Be Held Remotely

2020 has been a strange year. One that has demanded a change in the way we do business. Now, more than ever, we’re relying on tools such as Google Hangouts, Skype and Zoom to hold meetings — saving the environmental impact of all that travel, whether it’s via plane or road. Cutting down on the number of meetings you have face-to-face can save your business time and money while reducing emissions, making it a wise decision all-round.

3. Let Employees Work Remotely

Something else we’ve had to grow accustomed to in 2020 is remote working. While some businesses already had the processes in place, many have had to adapt. It has been a learning curve, and there’s no reason to turn your back on remote work now. Now you know that remote working can be efficient, why not offer your employees an opportunity to work remotely, either on a full-time or part-time basis?

Working remotely can reduce greenhouse emissions, cut consumption of fossil fuels and improve air quality. In fact, Global Workforce Analytics has estimated that working from home for half of the week can reduce carbon emissions by 54 million tons every year. Not to mention, offering remote work can be a huge perk to attract new employees, and it can even boost productivity if you have the right tools in place (such as real-time communication and team collaboration software).

4. Get Started on Your Way to a Paperless Office

Having a paperless office can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint. Do what you can online, only print off what is necessary, and make sure you invest in the right technology. For example, while email is a great communication tool, it’s not necessarily the most secure. When sending important documents, you should consider paperless faxing, which offers increased security and peace of mind.

5. Reduce Water Use

As well as watching your paper usage, watch out for your water consumption. Reducing water use is a great way to conserve valuable environmental resources. Consider fixing dripping taps and installing low-flow toilets.

6. Encourage Employees to Go Green

If you are a sustainable business, you’ll more than likely attract employees that value sustainability too. However, it’s also important to encourage your employees to make green choices, such as emailing documents rather than printing them. Hold meetings on how to reduce waste in your business, and educate employees on the importance of making green choices so that they are well-informed.

7. Go Green with Web Hosting

Running servers is associated with a great deal of environmental damage. The problem is, we need a web presence. So what’s the solution? Thankfully there are green hosting providers that ensure at least part of the energy they use comes from a renewable power source. Every little bit helps.

8. Look for Sustainable Energy Providers

Consider switching to sustainable energy providers, and be more mindful with energy. Turn off everything that can be switched off at the end of the day, and cut back on consumption where you can.

9. Make Sustainability a Full-Time Role

As you can see, there are a lot of factors and many things to consider when it comes to sustainability. You might consider demonstrating your commitment in this area by hiring an employee to focus on sustainability strategy.

10. Go Green with Packaging

Packaging is a huge business consideration. It needs to be representative of your brand and values. And, of course, sustainability is now a value of yours. Consider switching to eco-friendly packaging, and explore recycled or biodegradable alternatives.

11. Take Your Waste Disposal Seriously

Businesses need to make greener choices when it comes to waste disposal. Consider hiring a professional waste management company to make sure that you’re recycling the right things and that waste is disposed of safely. Such a company can ensure you produce less waste, help you to recycle your electronics responsibly and prevent you from having as big an environmental impact as your competitors.

12. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is — Donate to a Sustainable Cause

Money speaks. As well as doing all you can internally, set your sights elsewhere, and make a big difference by donating to a sustainable cause. You might want to consider asking your environmentally-conscious employees if there is a cause they feel strongly about as a starting point. Walking the walk is a great way to show employees — current and prospective — that you’re serious about the environment and that you’re committed to sustainability.