Unless you have been sitting in the dark, you’ll have no doubt heard that climate change is happening a little faster than anticipated. Within 2020 alone, forest fires, melting icebergs, even fire in the ocean, haveHow to Achieve Business Goals grabbed the world’s attention with a desperate plea for change. If you run your own business, you’re responsible too. You’re going to need to look at eco-friendly business ideas that can make a change for the better.

The carefree approach to resources has been short-lived. It’s one that has affected every asset on the planet: the environment and of course, the people. This change has resulted in a business trend that all companies must pay attention to.

From fashion to travel and hospitality people are chipping in to cut down on the number of resources that they use. More than ever, companies are recycling, cutting out plastics, and really getting to the core of whether their business is sustainable.

This refreshing, and much-needed eco-friendly trend has swept across the world. What was once a bold move is now fashionable with more and more businesses proudly announcing their efforts every day.

Why?

The statistics are quite overwhelming, with 90% of consumers wanting to opt for sustainable businesses over those are remaining silent.

So, let’s get to it…

Photo, Cherie Birkner.

What Exactly is an Eco-Friendly Business?

A business that is eco-friendly is one that does not harm the environment. Eco-friendly businesses have a green approach to everything. From manufacturing methods to completing services with as little carbon footprint, which releases poisonous gases into the atmosphere, as possible.

The idea is to do as little harm as possible while executing your business. It’s can start simple and then get quite complicated. The process requires analysing every sector of your industry and even in your workplace, identifying what has the most impact on the environment and finding new ways of doing things.

A Note on Consistency

Sustainability sits at the core of eco-friendly business ideas. While going green may be a trend that is sweeping across the world. It’s here to stay! So your approach must be consistent.

Becoming eco-friendly is about creating ways of working that benefit both the business and the world in the long run. It’s a response to the exploitation of resources that you witness across all sectors of business that are not sustainable.

How you approach your strategy for sustainability can drip into every aspect of your business, here are some popular changes to inspire you…

Photo, The Creative Exchange.

Packaging and SWAG

If the idea of switching to complete sustainability sounds like a bit of a headache, begin with small movements. Packaging and SWAG are great places to start.

Packaging was one of the first targets of the green campaign, with plastic bags being removed from supermarkets as early as 2011. However, plastic finds its way into everything, particularly when it comes to product packaging. It can feel like there is no escape.

Your packaging and SWAG are the faces of your business. In many ways, they act as representation for your brand.

Choosing to invest in eco-friendly gifts and switching to biodegradable packaging are affordable adjustments that will speak to your consumers in a language that they want to hear. It’s one that shows you care.

This first move is one that will have a positive waterfall effect on your business. Sustainability does not begin and end with management. By using green SWAG products in your office, as many businesses do, your team will notice your first eco-conscious move. Soon, they will want to take the initiative and make changes too.

Become Ethical

Green, Fairtrade, sustainable sourcing, recycled materials are all phrases that come up around being ethical.

To become eco-friendly, your product needs to contribute only good things to the environment. This trickles into all stages of your products creation and everyone involved. Luckily, you can find sustainability in luxury brands all over the world!

Becoming ethical is not something that you can do overnight. It’s a long process that involves knowing absolutely everything about how your product or service is made. To break it down, it’s best to make a clear strategy with a defined outcome.

To reduce the risk of any hazy areas, demanding accreditations of your partners and getting green accreditations or certifications yourself will make this transition smoother. Accreditations are a blueprint of ethical practices with guidelines to walk you through the process with no room for exceptions.

Photo, Nick Fewings.

The Green Commitment

Businesses are going all out with their eco-friendly changes with a commitment to going green. A trend that has been evident across all industries, the green commitment is as serious as it sounds.

Becoming eco-friendly across all aspects of your business will initially cost you time and money with the promise of reducing those costs over time. With such a high percentage of consumers wanting sustainable businesses, it’s a worthy investment with many long-term gains.

Committing to being a green business often involves working with a third party for sustainable businesses to tap into every element of your working environment.

Cutting out unnecessary business travel, having zero waste, cycling to work, using renewable energy in the office, and ensuring all partners are also sustainable, are essential elements to make this commitment.

Going green is not exactly new, however, as more companies make these changes, the pressure to follow suit is becoming stronger and stronger. Among some of the global names with big reputations in sustainability are Patagonia, Orsted, Panasonic and CICSO. Making the commitment to being eco-friendly is a movement of a global community that could open up new opportunities for your business.

There has never been a better time to think about embracing eco-friendly business ideas. With these ideas, you can start small and work your way up to bigger and better things that will affect all aspects of your working ethics. Sustainability is no longer a bold move but a rapidly expanding trend that will not fade away any time soon.

From service and product ethics to your SWAG and accreditations, each change is as important as the next.