Important questions to ask yourself before going green

Looking at the current business environment, it seems like all businesses have jumped in the eco-friendly bandwagon. Companies big and small are making serious efforts to embrace sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact. And there are plenty of reasons to do so. Apart from protecting the planet, going green also helps businesses meet customers’ expectations, improve employee satisfaction, boost brand image, reduce costs and increase profits. It’s a win-win situation all around. 

As an entrepreneur, making the transition to a greener business might seem like the most logical thing to do. All the benefits listed above are more than enough to convince you that taking the eco-friendly route is a great idea for your business. But just because this is a positive change, doesn’t mean you should jump right into it without doing your homework first. Because going green also comes with a series of challenges that if you’re not aware of can ruin your good intentions. 

So, before you start implementing sustainable practices for your company, you should first ask yourself a few important questions. Answering these questions will bring clarity to the whole process and help you avoid unwanted surprises. 

 

What are the advantages of becoming a green business?

Although we’ve listed the main benefits that green businesses enjoy above, there are many other advantages to take into consideration. As you’ll do your part in caring for the health and safety of the planet, you’ll also be able to improve different areas of your business. 

For example, you’ll be able to attract the best talent and improve employee retention. It will also help you become a sustainability leader in your community and draw the right kind of attention to your company. And let’s not forget this is also a great way to differentiate yourself from the crowd and offer consumers one extra reason to choose you over your competitors.  

What are the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption? 

When it comes to the environment’s worst enemies, energy waste is definitely somewhere at the top of the list. So, the obvious question here is how can you, as a business owner, ensure your company isn’t wasting precious resources and harming the planet and your budget. 

The measures you have to adopt depend largely on your company’s specific characteristics, so the first thing you should do is analyze your current energy consumption and see where you waste the most energy. Then you can come up with a plant to address the issues and work towards reducing energy waste. 

What are the options when it comes to green energy sources? 

Using energy the smart way is just part of the equation. You should also think about the type of energy you’re using to run your operations, because not all energy sources are created equal. Using energy from renewable resources is one of the most effective methods to reduce your impact on the environment and protect the planet. 

Depending on your circumstances, you’ll probably have various options to choose from. Solar, wind, geothermal or biomass power can provide the green energy your company requires to operate in a sustainable manner. 

How to choose a more sustainable supply chain? 

Besides buying clean energy, you also have to pay attention to all other suppliers. It’s essential to reevaluate your business practices from a supply chain perspective. If you want to embrace sustainability, you have to think about your company’s purchase habits and the suppliers you support by purchasing from them. 

You can switch to buying recycled paper, office supplies made of reusable materials, or refurbished goods for your company’s premises. You can also check your provider’s supply chain to make sure they conduct their activity in an ethical and sustainable way as well. 

How do I get started with recycling? 

Starting or improving your recycling practices is a big step towards achieving the green business title. But there’s a bit of a learning curve here, especially if you have no current recycling strategy set in place. The best thing to do is start small and educate yourself and your employees on recycling topics. You can make things easier for everyone by placing recycling bins all over your company’s premises. Then you can move on to developing a recycling strategy that suits your business type. 

If your company produces large amounts of waste, you can consider buying specialized equipment such to help you with waste management. It’s also a good idea to have someone in charge of all recycling activities who can supervise the entire process.  

How can I make these changes last long-term? 

You have developed and implemented an effective sustainability strategy, so what now? You should know that your work is far from over. The path to sustainability requires sustained effort if you want all the positive changes you’ve made to last. That means you have to constantly reevaluate the green methods and strategies you use, keep everyone updated on the company’s sustainability goals, keep recycling equipment such as balers and compactors in good condition by scheduling regular servicing and repairs, and always be on the lookout for new ways to improve sustainability of your company. 

What are my competitors doing to embrace sustainability? 

While focusing on your company’s sustainability goals and objectives is vital, you should also take a look at what other players in your niche are doing. Maybe you think you’re doing everything right, but other companies are doing more. You don’t want to be left behind in the green rush competition. Drawing inspiration from businesses that know how to make the most of their sustainability practices is always a smart method to stay updated and step up your game.

How will this affect my budget?

It all comes down to money in the end. As you can assume, greenifying your business requires a significant financial investment. The amount of money you’ll have to invest in this depends on how you manage your business budget and the green measures you’re willing to adopt. But keep in mind that this financial effort will pay off in the long run. Becoming a sustainable business will help you reduce costs over time and increase productivity levels, so it’s an effort worth making.