By The Telegraph, Brother
Business sustainability isn’t just good for the planet. If done right, it can work wonders for your brand reputation and bottom line
In Britain, almost a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions (18pc) come from businesses, according to government statistics. But in the wake of television shows such as Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II, consumers want to buy from companies they see as green – with Unilever research suggesting 33pc of consumers want to buy from brands they perceive as “good”.
People also increasingly want to work for green companies, with three-quarters of workers at small to medium enterprises (SMEs) saying that sustainability is important to them, research by Brother has shown.
Luckily there are simple steps companies can take to improve their overall environmental impact. Here business owners, campaigners and experts provide their top tips.
1. Think outside the box when it comes to recycling
Do not just recycle paper and ink cartridges. Be creative, says Rachel Fortune, founder of the Sustainable Lifestyle Awards.
“What about using upcycled furniture to deck out offices?” she suggests. “A lick of paint can transform a chair or desk as well as adding character and individuality.
“Source vintage or second-hand furniture if don’t have desire to put the painting overalls on. Recycle old or unwanted paper into packing for your products by shredding it. [This is] much cheaper than buying separate packing materials.”
2. Aim for zero waste to landfill
Careful planning and effort across a business can make it possible to stop sending any waste to landfill, says Phil Jones, managing director of Brother UK. “Of the 133 tonnes of waste produced at our head office in Manchester last year, zero went to landfill,” he says.
“There are lots of simple steps businesses can take towards this goal, such as engaging expert waste treatment contractors, replacing disposable plastic cutlery with bamboo, issuing staff with reusable water bottles, and replacing fluorescent tubes with LED lighting.”
All these little changes, though, require a wider culture shift across the whole business; employees need to buy in to the idea. “All our colleagues receive mandatory environmental training each year,” Mr Jones says.
3. Become a ‘B Corp’
“B Corps” are businesses that are voluntarily certified every two years for their social and environmental performance by a global nonprofit organisation. The perfect time to become a B Corp is when your business is still growing, says Rozanne Davis, head of sustainability at Innocent Drinks (a certified B Corp).
Ms Davis says: “It provides a brilliant framework to help balance the need to make a profit with the needs of the planet.
“B Corp also allows you access to a fantastic network of other businesses who are always willing to offer advice based on their experience. There’s also plenty of working groups to join, so it’s a great opportunity to get peer-to-peer advice.”
4. Let employees work from home
Remote working could have a huge impact on a company’s environmental footprint, research has shown. In 2014, the Carbon Trust suggested that increasing the number of people working from home in the UK could save more than three million tonnes of carbon a year.
Phil Foster, chief executive of Love Energy Savings, says: “Last year brought remote working into the mainstream, with many businesses unshackling workers from their desks. Future trends show less and less demand for a bricks-and-mortar office. There will be less electricity used, a reduction in individual carbon footprints thanks to no commute, and fewer offices supplies used [so less waste].”
5. Be smart with paper
Reducing the amount you print is an important step, and up to half of SME employees are trying to reduce the amount of paper they use, says Phil Jones, of Brother UK.
“Employers can make this possible by better integrating their print and scan solutions, so that documents can be shared, edited and stored digitally,” he says.
“Combining an optimised scanning infrastructure with a managed print service is the best option for businesses looking to monitor usage and identify ways of increasing productivity and efficiency, while ensuring staff are working in the most environmentally friendly way.”
