Driven by the public’s demands and expectations and responding to increasingly stringent norms, the business sector has taken notice and act to create a more sustainable future. The pressure to change had been building for some time now, long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies were modeled for a world that’s disappearing – one focused on profitability where resources are withdrawn to make products that soon end up as waste and are discarded. Businesses must organize for the future. Organizations that embrace sustainability are future-fit, improving their chances of thriving in the new normal – they demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change and are more progressive than the average in terms of carbon taxes.
People, profits, and the planet can co-exist, so it’s no longer about winners and losers. Companies must take advantage of their specific strengths to help solve global issues, even though they don’t immediately benefit the bottom line. An ever-increasing number of organizations are embracing the idea of the triple bottom line, recognizing the connection between environmental health, social well-being, and financial success and resilience. The point is that sustainability is intrinsically connected to profitability, so you must invest in it in order to survive. If you’re eager to embrace the future, here are some examples of strategies to implement to thrive in this changing world.
Team Up with Non-Profit Organizations
When you join forces with the right non-profit organization, it can result in a mutually advantageous relationship that uncovers the potential for maximizing good. Unintentional perks include but aren’t limited to connecting to a broad audience, increasing transparency and engagement, and developing a positive purpose. Sustainability isn’t your specialty, so the non-profit organization will share its expertise on how to improve the environment, helping your company grow and succeed in the long-run. When you feel overwhelmed, you might react in ways that don’t help the situation. The non-profit organization has much-needed knowledge and capabilities to help get your efforts off the ground.
If you support and make a positive contribution to the environment, you’ll be rewarded with good will and support. On the other hand, if you blatantly ignore the damage you’ve done to the Earth, the results can range from nuisances to legal action. It’s important to recognize and value the differences between your company and the non-profit organization, carefully navigating the relationship. Above all, be certain you’re choosing the right partner. Think about what each side brings to the table. Is it foundation or trust? The partnership should be progressively integrated into the responsibilities of your business instead of being treated as a standalone enterprise.
Educate Employees About Environmental Topics and Practices
Employees can transform a company into a sustainable business, enhancing its energy and financial performance. More often than not, sustainability efforts fail because employees are ignorant of the issues under consideration or aren’t involved in the process. Therefore, ensure the people in your organization are as informed as you are, getting everyone, from top executives to assembly line workers, engaged in daily sustainability efforts. In a world still dominated by profit, employees use a rational cost-benefit calculus, meaning they act to please their superiors. Corporate initiatives must reconcile personal and corporate values, so define new terms and convince people to accept them.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle. We learn these words from an early age, but their meaning and significance are often dismissed as we grow older. It’s highly regrettable because the three Rs of the environment help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and save the planet. If you want to make a move in the right direction, reduce waste, reuse materials, and implement good recycling practices. Your strategy will dictate how effectively your business embeds environmental sustainability – with better habits in place, you can improve your environmental friendliness. For example, by using recycling compactors, you can send less to landfills and green the economy. Brands offer a range of compactors for sale at significant discounts and short delivery times.
The best place to start is with an audit from an independent third party, as it will help you understand the reach of your actions and show where to improve. An in-house audit is more affordable, but you won’t get the insight or suggestions you would get from a specialist, so paying for an external, comprehensive audit is worthwhile. Knowing what kind of waste your business produces to the exact amount, not to mention how it’s disposed of, can highlight impactful means of action. The more you’re throwing out, the more you’re spending on trach collection and replacement materials. Before you can reduce waste, you need data to create a plan of attack.
Rethink Your Supply Chain
Could your supply chain be more sustainable? There’s a chance it could. Regardless of whether you manufacture products or acquire stock from a supplier, your partnership(s) could be adding to your carbon footprint due to the greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere. Look for opportunities to use recycled materials, craft a sustainable ecosystem of partners, minimize packaging, and push for the recirculation of products. Also, moving the production of goods to the end customer can reduce transportation-related costs and help achieve better relationships. Think about integrating intelligent workflows that apply technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence into the supply chain.
Concluding Thoughts
Corporate sustainability is a complex endeavor, yet you can gain tremendous perks that extend beyond environmental preservation. Address the urgent challenge of our times, protecting the planet for future generations. Every business should commit to better practices to create a sustainable world for all, investing in its long-term health through well thought of strategies. With the information from this article, you can now devise a strategy to map out your timeline and allocate resources accordingly. Keep in mind that the road to success is never a straight line, so there may be some failures and negative emotions involved.
All in all, keep your eyes on the prize. Even if something goes wrong, you must stay determined; seeing progress is a great motivator in itself. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to help you eliminate distractions and remind yourself of your goals.
