How Your Company Can Implement Greener Policies

Small Potted Plant
June 28, 2019
64 / 100

In today’s world, there are few issues more pressing than climate change. The future of our planet depends on everyone — from governments and corporations to individuals. Thankfully, companies have started to take notice of the green movement and are finally bowing to mounting pressure from consumers to become more sustainable. If your company hasn’t jumped onto the bandwagon already, then it’s definitely the time to do so. Here are some ways your company can become greener and work towards bettering our planet:

Build a Sustainability Team

Assembling a sustainability team is a good way to increase awareness about sustainability, as well as implement greener initiatives. Get some employees together and build a team that can act as stewards of the environment and go-to people when it comes to all eco-friendly matters. You can start small by having your sustainability team educate staff through lunch-and-learn sessions. The team can also invite speakers from various local utilities departments and nonprofits that work toward maintaining the environment.

The sustainability team can be put in charge of coming up with simple green solutions that employees can integrate into their everyday routine. Additionally, they can start a “green challenge of the month” program, where employees are given a new eco-friendly challenge to complete every month. Some ideas include challenging employees to not use plastic utensils, segregate their waste into different bins, or bike or carpool to work for the entire month. The sustainability team can also gradually get involved in formulating and executing office-wide policies such as going paperless, reducing commute vehicles to promote pedestrian safety, and lowering the office’s carbon footprint.

Andrew McCrea, account executive and green team community events chair at Weber Shandwick, supports the idea of a sustainability team . According to him, “Employees engaging one another is more effective than memos from the top. This group can conduct monthly ‘inspections’ looking at the power/gas meters, amount of office supplies ordered, etc., and keep a record to gauge positive or negative movement.”

Push for CSR

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is of growing importance among corporations across the globe. Not only does CSR allow for businesses to address the social and environmental side effects of their ventures, but it also aids in marketing efforts and attracting top talent . In fact, according to experts at Villanova University , “Today’s consumers look for brands that are dedicated to CSR efforts, and the younger generation of employees prefers to work for companies who give back to their communities in some way or another.” In this way, you can use CSR to make your company more sustainable while boosting its public image.

If your company doesn’t already have CSR policies in place, then push upper management to make it happen. Offer to head an employee committee to discuss potential CSR and volunteering activities — not only will your initiatives benefit the environment, but you can use this opportunity to show your superiors that you are invested in the well-being of both your company and the surrounding environment.

Evaluate Environmental Impact

To implement greener policies, it’s important to first know your company’s environmental impact. Today, businesses usually calculate their bottom line from their annual earnings report. A fiscal bottom line considers all revenues and expenses to give the final profit or loss. However, this doesn’t account for a company’s environmental and social cost, and so these aspects are left unconsidered. To incorporate sustainability in business, this context is essential.

One way to do so is to use the “triple bottom line” approach. As stated in an article by Northeastern University , “Under the triple bottom line framework, a company puts its revenues, expenses, and profits into an environmental and social context. From here, a company may gain a better understanding of costs that can’t be accounted for in a traditional way.”

The article gives the example of a traditional copper mining company. Traditionally, the company would report a net profit through the extraction and sale of copper. However, this profit is the result of rendering acres of land unstable due to mining, as well as polluting a major river due to mining waste, potentially affecting wildlife and the economy of riverside towns.

Under the triple bottom line framework, the company’s profit came at a very high cost — not only to the environment but to the company’s future. Northeastern University continues: “Unless the company worked to correct these problems and prevent them from occurring later, it’s unlikely it will be able to sustain the same level of profitability over the next several years.” In this way, the triple bottom line framework quantifies the environmental and societal impact of a company’s operations so that management can perform more thorough cost-benefit analyses and appropriately decide future actions.

Evaluating your company’s environmental and social impact through such frameworks is crucial to becoming more sustainable in the long-run. Only when you know the complete cost of your company’s operations can you streamline processes to be more eco-friendly.

Our planet is being put under increasing strain due to our lifestyles today. It is up to us to alleviate some of this stress by being greener and choosing more environmentally friendly alternatives. Companies are responsible for their environmental impacts, and it is more important than ever that they remain accountable for their actions and become more sustainable. After all, our actions today will be our legacy to the world of tomorrow.

Image Source: Pixabay

Categories

More Posts:

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

As your business continues to expand, it might be a wise decision to employ an HR specialist who can help you manage and optimize your workforce. An HR expert brings with them essential services that will streamline the operations of your company while keeping your...

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Embarking on a gardening business is a bewildering journey that promises both intrinsic satisfaction and monetary success. The paramount initial step is to scrutinize the varied gamut of services you would want to render, followed by an intricate search for tools and supplies to substantiate the execution of those services. Crafting a business and financial plan is an absolute must, especially given the burgeoning competition from fellow green-thumbed entrepreneurs amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media and designing business cards and flyers are integral to drumming up business. Lastly, building a loyal clientele and network is paramount for sustained success in the horticultural realm.

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

To be a victorious business, it takes more than having an outstanding product. Knowing the significance of manufacturing and how it impacts their financials is integral for any organization that wishes to thrive in today's marketplace. To keep up with the competition,...

What I Wish I Had Known When I Started My Business

Starting a business is hard work. There are so many things to think about and do, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Trust me, I know from experience! When I started my business, there were a lot of things I wish I had known. But thankfully, I've learned a lot...

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

Product Mistakes You Might Be Making at Your Business

Running a business isn’t easy, and making product-related mistakes can cost your company time and money. From creating products without doing market research to holding excess inventory or failing to file patents, there are numerous pitfalls that you need to be aware...

A Five-Step Guide to Starting a Logistics Company

If you've been considering launching a transportation and logistics company, now is the moment. The transportation and storage sector is very important and profitable. Statistics show that by 2027, the global logistics market would have grown from its 2017 valuation...

How to Reduce Your Tax Burden When Operating a Business

As a business owner, you already have many financial responsibilities. Adding on the burden of taxes can be overwhelming. To reduce any stress, you need to find ways to reduce what you’re spending on taxes.  Start a Retirement Plan  Having a retirement plan in place...

​​How to Prevent Lawsuits From Ruining Your Company

No one wants to deal with the hassle and expense of a lawsuit. Unfortunately, lawsuits can happen to any business, no matter how big or small. The best way to protect your company is to take preventative measures to make sure that you are doing everything possible to...

Explaining the What, Why, and How of Strategic Alliance

A strategic alliance is a business arrangement in which two or more companies come together to form a partnership to pursue a common goal. By teaming up, these companies can leverage each other's strengths and resources to achieve their objectives more quickly and...
Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Embarking on a gardening business is a bewildering journey that promises both intrinsic satisfaction and monetary success. The paramount initial step is to scrutinize the varied gamut of services you would want to render, followed by an intricate search for tools and supplies to substantiate the execution of those services. Crafting a business and financial plan is an absolute must, especially given the burgeoning competition from fellow green-thumbed entrepreneurs amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media and designing business cards and flyers are integral to drumming up business. Lastly, building a loyal clientele and network is paramount for sustained success in the horticultural realm.

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

To be a victorious business, it takes more than having an outstanding product. Knowing the significance of manufacturing and how it impacts their financials is integral for any organization that wishes to thrive in today's marketplace. To keep up with the competition,...

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

All Categories

Business Operations

Entrepreneur Interviews

Marketing, Networking, & Social Media

Self Care & Personal Development

Working Moms

Business Software and Technology

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Organizing Tips

Sales

Career Building

Family Businesses

Inspiration

Starting Your Own Business

Work-Life Balance

Communication

Hiring Help

Management & Leadership

Time Management & Priorities

Women in Leadership

Recent Posts

Why Your Business Should Offer HSA-Compatible Health Plans

Why Your Business Should Offer HSA-Compatible Health Plans

As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to taking care of your employees. If you offer good benefits, such as healthcare, you’ll be more likely to hire and maintain the best employees.  Here are a few reasons why your business should...

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

As your business continues to expand, it might be a wise decision to employ an HR specialist who can help you manage and optimize your workforce. An HR expert brings with them essential services that will streamline the operations of your company while keeping your...

Why Your Office Needs High-Quality Chairs

Why Your Office Needs High-Quality Chairs

For any business or organization, the right office furniture is vital. Quality chairs are essential and can help bolster productivity, decrease employee health issues, and remain operable longer than budget substitutes. Investing in quality office chairs provides...

How to Quickly Capture Attention on Social Media

How to Quickly Capture Attention on Social Media

Social media is invaluable for marketers and business owners, especially those working with small businesses. It’s a great way to get the company in front of more people, allowing you to attract more customers. Of course, it’s not enough to just get seen on social...

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Embarking on a gardening business is a bewildering journey that promises both intrinsic satisfaction and monetary success. The paramount initial step is to scrutinize the varied gamut of services you would want to render, followed by an intricate search for tools and supplies to substantiate the execution of those services. Crafting a business and financial plan is an absolute must, especially given the burgeoning competition from fellow green-thumbed entrepreneurs amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media and designing business cards and flyers are integral to drumming up business. Lastly, building a loyal clientele and network is paramount for sustained success in the horticultural realm.

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

Life throws us an occasional curveball; it’s just a part of life. But what if your finances take a hit due to something outside of your control?  Black swan events are rare, but they occur and can cause massive financial losses. The key is to be prepared for the worst...