Running a small business requires quite an amount of capital if you want your business to survive, however, inculcating sustainable practices in your business system can help reduce cost for you. Sustainable practices have helped and still helps many businesses, big and small, to effectively run their businesses at a reduced cost. Adopting such practices does not only reduce cost for small businesses but it also creates a conducive environment for the general public.
What are Sustainable Practices?
Sustainable practices are a set of ordered continuous actions that involve consideration of one's environment in conducting their day to day activities. In the context of this article, sustainable practices are business practices that ensure a more conducive environment for employees, business owners and the general public. All activities that deviate from pollution —air, water, land etc and positively impact the environment are sustainable practices. Such businesses earn the nickname—green businesses.
What are Green Businesses?
Green businesses are businesses that abstain from polluting the environment through activities such as carbon emissions or use of non-decomposable packaging materials. These businesses support the preservation of the natural environment by engaging in activities that prevent toxic release into the environment.
How to Incorporate Sustainable Practices in Small Businesses
Adopt Green Electricity
One way small businesses can have a positive impact on their immediate environment is by adopting green electricity. Green electricity then, refers to sources of electricity that stem from the providence of nature. They are sources of electricity like Solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight, wind turbines that generate electricity from wind and hydropower that generate electricity from dams—water. These save small businesses the cost of power such as diesel, prepaid meter, and petrol and prevent pollution of the environment with carbon emissions as well as gain the admiration of the public.
Embrace Green Packaging
Another efficient method of incorporating sustainable practices in a small business is through embracing green packaging. Green packaging involves investing in sources of packaging that have a positive impact on the environment. These are packagings that are made of biodegradable and decomposable materials—materials that can be easily broken down and returned to nature when disposed off properly without causing any form of pollution. These include: mushroom-based materials or biodegradable polymers, recycled paper, cardboard, glass, reusable materials to mention a few. Such practices will reduce overhead cost while contributing generously to environmental serenity.
Green Transportation
Using green transportation is an innovative way to show your commitment to ecological purity. Green transportation involves using sources of transportation that differ from other means of transportation which involve the release of toxic chemicals into the environment. They can include: the use of bicycles, patronizing public transports to reduce the amount of toxic substances released into the air, acquiring carbon offsets to compensate for carbon emissions, etc. This will effectively reduce the capital needed to fund your small business while positively impacting your environment.
Encourage Green Practices
It is not enough for small businesses to indulge in green practices, they should also help spread the word about it. You can enlighten your co-workers, employees, or suppliers on the importance of green practices to society letting them know the measures that can be taken in ensuring a positive impact on society. As a small business owner, you can also encourage others to adopt green electricity, transport and packaging among others as well as advice them to invest in programs that are interested in environmental preservation. Such actions will help to make the world a better place for everyone and a safer environment for business.
Environment Conscious Suppliers
Working with organizations that are conscious of the impact of their businesses on the environment is an important part of sustainable practices. By ensuring that your suppliers also subscribe to green practices like green electricity, transport and packaging, you will be able to cut down cost as well as ensure that your raw products do not impact your environment negatively. For example; ensure that your suppliers's packaging comply with the dictates of green practices using materials that are easily decomposed when disposed off properly—biodegradable and decomposable materials. Such a move can gain public trust and admiration for your business leading to an increased patronage and revenue all at a minimized cost.
Support Green Movements
Now that your business is in compliance with the prescripts of green practices, it is also important that you support Green revolutions. Supporting movements that are in favour of environmental preservation and frown at pollution—air, water, land, etc is a great way to display your business's contribution to fostering a conducive living environment for the public. Such movements as:
Worldwide Fund for Nature,
Environmental Defense Fund,
Greenpeace,
Natural Resource Defense Council to mention a few. These organizations are dedicated to the preservation of natural resources and ensuring a habitable environment free from toxic waste and pollution that can be detrimental to human health. Such a move will earn your small business great support from the public as well as from green bodies.
Eco-friendly Working Environment
What could be a better way to ensure sustainable practices in your small business than displaying such in your working environment? Small businesses that are committed to green practices should endeavour to inculcate same in their working environments through such acts as: using natural lighting, installing flower pots that are known to purify the air and positively affect the moods of coworkers or employees, etc. By subscribing to such practices, you will create a favourable working environment for yourself and your employees—if you have them—as well as for your customers and the general public. Customers are thrilled by businesses that are not only interested in taking their money but also in ensuring a conducive environment for them by reducing pollution and adopting green practices in their businesses.
Subscribing to sustainable practices as a small business, will give you an edge in the marketplace. This is because it does not only cut down cost for your business which is very crucial for small businesses, but it also contributes to having a positive impact on the environment. A business will not thrive in a polluted and toxic environment because such environments will lead to poor health and constant diseases that weaken the immune system and expose the body to infections. Some practices that are sure to prevent these are: adopting green electricity, encouraging green packaging, use of green transportation, encouraging green practices, patronizing green suppliers, supporting green movements, and ensuring an eco-friendly working environment for yourself and your employees. This will create a strong fan base for your business in your environment and positively affect your business's growth.
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