Understandably, there is significant pressure on businesses to make sure that every element of their business is as sustainable as it possibly can be, from the products and services themselves down to the supply chain. This pressure comes from all directions: stakeholders, clients, vendors, the media, and other people within the industry. We all know that we need to be more conscious of our footprint on the environment in order to protect the planet as we move forward. 

However, it is not always as simple as just swapping to eco-friendly options. It can involve completely reconfiguring everything that you do. While this will take a lot of time and a lot of financial resources, but it is something that will pay back dividends in the long run.

Let us take a look at some of the things that you can do to ensure the maximum sustainability of your business.

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Look at your supply chain

There is a very good chance that your supply chain is more complex than it needs to be, so take some time to look at it closely and see if you can simplify and streamline it. Analyze each step, look closely at the data that you have to hand, and combine this information with automation and methods of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes. If you can cut out those steps that produce an unnecessary carbon footprint and reduce waste as far as possible, you are going a long way to making your business sustainable.

Look at your packaging

If you sell something physical to customers, look closely at the packaging. Containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons of generation in 2018 (28.1 percent of total generation). If you can take steps to reduce your part in this, do it – eco friendly flexible packaging delivers your goods and shows you care. It also helps your reputation as a business; if you care about the environment, you care about your customers. 

Embrace a remote working culture

Forgoing your office and going remote is one of the most efficient ways to make your company more environmentally friendly.    Consider this:  you have workers commuting back and forth from work, wasting time and energy sitting in the traffic. Making the transition to a remote work environment will not only save you money but will also reduce emissions. You don’t have to go totally remote—consider an eco-friendly program like work-from-home on Wednesdays or Fridays.

According to research, if employees with supportive jobs worked from home just half the time, national savings would likely equal more than $700 billion a year and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions could be equivalent to the permanent elimination of all New York State employees from the road.

Choose alternative energy sources

If you want to save money on your energy bills and do something positive for the environment, consider using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal. Depending on the location of your office, you might probably mount solar panels on the roof or use electricity from a nearby wind turbine farm.