Is Making Your Small Business Sustainable Worth the Effort?

Sustainability: Using resources that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability is one of those words people use regularly to sound cool, hip and in the know. In fact, they might even go so far as to say sustainability and being “green” are one and the same, but the truth is, they are not. Sustainability relates to how one uses the resources we have and working to ensure they are available to future generations. Going “green” is usually related to only using fuels that are renewable and relying less, or not at all, on coal and fossil fuels. 

Small businesses are feeling pressure from customers and the government to become more sustainable. The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) says sustainability means, “making, sourcing and distributing promotional items in ways that reduce negative environmental and social impacts while supporting long-term economic success.”  While that’s a big part of the equation, that only relates to the products we sell, not the internal operation of our businesses. 

What specific steps can we take that will not only help our companies and customers become more sustainable, but might even save money in the long run? Here are five ways that won’t cost an arm and a leg and will work to make your company more sustainable.

Offer eco-friendly and sustainable products to your customers: The days of selling CPS (cheap plastic s- -t) are over. The businesses you’re selling to are most likely looking for more eco-friendly, sustainable, and functional products to show their concern for the environment. Almost every supplier in the promo industry offers a plethora of products using organic and recycled materials. From pens to drinkware, apparel, totes, journals, bags of all types, and even some tech items, people want products that are functional and aren’t wreaking havoc on planet earth. But what about the extra cost, you ask? That leads us to our next point…

Educate your customers: Just because a company says they want to buy sustainable doesn’t mean they’ll pay the extra cost. That’s why educating your customers is so important. Do your own research to understand why products that are recycled or use organic materials cost more. Because they do! Part of it is demand is still relatively low, so products don’t yet enjoy the economics of scale, which allow manufacturers to charge less. Other reasons are the processes and materials used to create the products cost more, government red tape to certify the goods, fair wages for workers in foreign countries, and the quality tends to be higher, which means the products will last longer. Most consumers want to do the right thing and it’s up to you to help them understand why they might spend more, but end up with higher quality, sustainable products. 

Go digital: Make it a goal to use as little paper as possible in your business. Work to make all of your quotes, contracts, invoices, flyers, marketing materials, and reports digital. Give your printer a break by not printing things unless you really need physical copies. Store documents in the cloud and make them accessible to those who need them and use e-signatures so documents can be signed online without having to print them. Using less paper is not only good for the environment, but a great way to make your business more sustainable and save you money on paper and ink as well.

Offer work at home options: Pre-Covid, working from home was something very few people did and very few companies even allowed. Now, it’s become the norm and has changed the whole landscape of work-at-home. Many small businesses have closed their offices completely, realizing they can save huge amounts of money by working from home. If meetings are required, it can either be done via Zoom or a local shared workspace can be rented as needed. Offering employees the opportunity to work from home, even if only for a few days a week, can save gas and energy usage at the office. 

Other sustainable practices to implement: In 2019, 130 million metric tons of plastic waste were produced globally. If your company has a break room, take a look around to see how it can be more sustainable. Get rid of styrofoam and plastic drinkware along with throwaway utensils, opting instead for reusable, company logoed cups and metal utensils. Buy pens made from paper or recycled plastic and add plants to the office, which help improve indoor air quality, reduce carbon dioxide levels and make for a friendlier work environment. Implement office-wide recycling and composting programs for materials like paper, plastics, and organic waste. And be sure to use energy efficient lighting, which reduces energy costs and lasts much longer. 

A few simple changes can make a huge difference, helping your small business along with your customers’ grow towards a more sustainable future.  World renowned author, Paulo Coelho notes, “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” 

So yes, making your small business sustainable, even in small ways, is worth it and can set you apart from the competition. Plus, it sets an example others can follow to make the world a better place, both now and into the future.