Perhaps you have a great idea for a business, or even a small business that you’ve already started. But you’re looking for incredible pearls of wisdom on how to make it a sustainable business that balances the drive for better profits with environmental impacts. Many sectors have already pushed towards an eco-friendlier model, as can be seen in the increased popularity of slow fashion and electric cars, for example.
Now is also the time to take a step towards a greener future with Pavilion Earth. By choosing eco-friendly promotional products, your business not only lessens its environmental impact but also conveys its commitment to sustainability. This can resonate with environmentally-conscious customers and prospects, creating a positive image and fostering stronger brand loyalty.
Getting Started
These first two steps explain how to start thinking sustainably, even while you’re still writing your business plan.
1. Identify a Need
The key to any good business, no matter how environmentally sustainable it is, is to offer a product or service that is actually in demand. So, the first step is to identify a need that your business can fill. Some companies offer an entirely new product, while others, like The Pearl Source, find new and creative ways to offer access to sustainable and valuable items. Whatever need you identify, you should be sure that many people will have this need for a prolonged period of time.
2. Find a Solution
Once you’ve determined the need that your business will meet, you have to figure out exactly how you’ll approach it. This means using your problem-solving skills to map out each step of the way, from the design of a product to its manufacturing and distribution. Be sure to consider every detail: you’ll need to deliver a product or service from scratch, and it’s up to you to fully describe each element of the business plan.
Creating Your Product
Here are some tips that deal specifically with how to maximize sustainability while you’re building the product or service that your business will offer.
3. Source Sustainably
Now that you have a detailed solution to the problems that your business will solve, it’s time to maximize sustainability at each step of the production process. The first step is sourcing the material that you will you use to build your product. If you want to keep things environmentally friendly, then you need to be sure that you’re using sustainable materials. This might not be the cheapest option, but your customers will appreciate the dedication to the planet in the long run.
4. Reduce Manufacturing Waste
Another important way to boost sustainability is to cut down on the waste produced by the manufacturing process. This means that you should opt for factories that adhere to strict guidelines about emissions and pollution and use equipment such as dry screw vacuum pump products. You should also be absolutely sure that the people who are manufacturing the product are being treated fairly, with good pay and humane working conditions. After all, sustaining the humanity of the workforce is an important part of sustainability overall.
5. Eco-Friendlier Delivery
When it comes time to get your product to the consumer, it’s important to explore all of the options for delivering it. While gas guzzlers like trucks and planes are typical means of delivery, you should also consider slower but eco-friendlier options such as trains for long distances and bike courier delivery services for in-town purchase. If you’re selling something that can be delivered digitally, you should always opt for the digital option, since this cuts down both the cost and environmental impact of delivery.
6. Cut Down Packaging
Another important factor to consider is packaging. Of course, you want your product to be properly protected throughout the delivery process, and you want it to look appealing, too. You should look into recycled and recyclable options for packaging, and also explore ways to get the packaging down to the bare minimum. In addition to being good for the planet, this also helps widen your profit margin.
Running the Company
These are some best business practices inspired by eco-friendly companies to help you keep the business running sustainably throughout the years.
7. Go Paperless
If you ever have the opportunity to do something paperless, you should take it! This can apply to all of the communications and memos in your office, as well as to training materials, contracts, and other administrative documents. You can save trees and money when you minimize the paper and printing that happens in your offices.
8. Avoid Shipping
Your business should also get used to working with digital documents and products that can emailed rather than shipped. Some older companies want printed versions of every contract and memo for records, but using that system requires not only the paper and printing, but also the shipping of the documents. If you send things virtually, you’re cutting out the cost and emissions of the fuel it takes to send the paper version.
9. Meet Virtually
Instead of traveling between clients’ offices all over the region, consider taking your meetings online or over the phone. This reduces the emissions and waste caused by driving around, and it also saves time and money. You’ll be surprised how much extra time you and your clients will have if you meet virtually, and the savings are very apparent even in the first year of implementation.
10. Reduce Travel
Even though business trips can be an excuse to get away from home for a few days, they have a huge environmental impact. Avoiding business trips or combining them to be more efficient is a way to cut back drastically on your business’s carbon footprint, especially if you’re used to traveling by plane. If you do have to travel, make sure that you’re traveling sustainably.