Customers are now actively looking for businesses that are eco-friendly, and showing your green credentials is becoming a major aspect of many marketing campaigns. In fact, a potential client is often likely to be happy to pay more to use a sustainable company than one that doesn’t play its part to help the environment.
It makes sense that if you run a business, you’ll want to make any necessary changes to ensure that you can prove to prospects and customers that you are environmentally aware and that you do what you can to help. With that in mind, here are some ideas to get you started if you’re not sure what to do.
1. Use The Right Packaging
If you currently send goods out to your customers, what packaging do you use? Did you know that your packaging is the first thing many people will see regarding your company (apart from your website, perhaps), and therefore it is the thing that will give them an idea about your business and what it stands for? This is why you need to think carefully about the kind of packaging you use.
Make sure you remove any plastic from your packaging. It might be convenient, but it’s not eco-friendly. Next, make sure you’re using green products for packaging. Cardboard is good (shredded cardboard is a great protecting material), but recycled cardboard is even better, for example. Steer clear of Styrofoam packing peanuts and plastic tape products.
Plus, when you receive packages, make sure you recycled the packing materials when you are able to.
2. Rent A Serviced Office
Energy bills are getting more and more expensive, but on top of the cost, the energy you’re using might be bad for the planet. This is especially true if you’re using fossil fuels. One way to combat this issue is to rent a serviced office from The Workplace Company. When you do this, you can not only cut your energy costs, but you can use less energy, and that’s better for the environment.
Think about this; if many businesses use the same office space rather than having separate offices all over, this reduces energy use in general – only one building is expending energy rather than lots. Plus, it can make the commute easier and shorter for some workers, which again is good for the environment. The fact that you don’t have to use these offices at all times saves you money and helps you build a better, greener, business.
3. Have An Energy Audit
If you do have your own office, do you know how much energy you’re using and where that energy is used most? In most cases, the answer to these questions will be no. This is not helpful, as it doesn’t give you a chance to make important changes and to become greener.
When you have an energy audit carried out by an expert, you’ll be given a report that tells you exactly where you’re using energy. Plus, there will be ideas about how to use less and to be more eco-friendly. This might include:
- Switching to LED bulbs
- Installing solar panels
- Insulating the building better (especially attic spaces)
- Installing smart thermostats
All of these ideas – and many more – will help you run a more sustainable business that your customers will appreciate.