Why should SMEs go green?

Although it can initially be a rather expensive exercise, the return on investment for switching to more environmentally friendly business practices can be more than considerable. There's a big push for large corporates to reduce their carbon footprint, given that together, 100 large companies are responsible for roughly 70% of the world's fossil fuel emissions.

Even though the negative impact of small businesses on the environment is significantly milder than that of major conglomerates, it's still worth implementing strategies to become more sustainable. Here's why, and how to go about it:

The advantages of becoming more sustainable

Consumers are increasingly purchasing from brands that are environmentally conscious, even if their goods and services are more expensive than less sustainable competitors. Small to medium enterprise business owners understand the importance of every single sale. When you're trying to outcompete cheaper rivals in your market, no customer is dispensable.

Thus, small and medium-sized companies should look to make the move to business operations that are kinder to the environment. But with so many ways to do this, it can be a daunting prospect. Below are a few strategies to contemplate, as well as the most appropriate use cases for each.

Going green is every business's responsibility.

How to go green as an SME

If your business uses its own packaging, consider sourcing recycled and/or recyclable alternatives to single-use plastic, styrofoam and bubble wrap. There are plenty of options, most of which are cardboard or paper-based, but if you need the sturdiness of plastic, some are derived from other petroleum-based products.

There's the option to deliver goods in bulk if you offer a delivery service. By transporting goods only when there's a baseline volume of product, you'll reduce the number of trips you make, thereby cutting down on your gas emissions. You can go one step further by using intelligent software that determines and plans the most fuel-efficient routes for you.

The phrase 'reduce, reuse recycle' has never been more relevant. Make a concerted effort to reduce the amount of non-recyclable goods you use at your business in favor of purchasing recyclable products. Put out specific bins for your employees to use (e.g., 'paper only') and plan a day of the week or month to empty these containers. Reuse materials whenever and wherever possible and if it's safe to do so.

If you're not already using digital platforms for most of your business operations, such as inventory management, invest in computerized programs that will help you decrease the amount of paper you need.

Should you require any advice on small business environmental regulations and other legal requirements, reach out to the Law Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth, P.C.

Categorised in: Arizona LLCs, Starting a Business in Arizona

This post was written by