One of the biggest problems facing many businesses in 2024 will be the matter of how to make everything sustainable. The push for sustainability has been one of the most important developments over the past decade, and it is having a profound effect on the way many businesses operate. According to research by Deloitte, over a quarter of modern consumers now consider a product’s sustainability over price when it comes to choosing from the market – so your business should embrace sustainability or risk being left behind. Here are 5 ways your business can become more sustainable in 2024.
Upskill Your Staff
One of the best ways you can prepare your staff for the green economy is to invest in fantastic green skills training. Developing green skills is one of the most important parts of preparing for the green economy, and helping people to understand how their skills could help them work sustainability is essential. For example, many construction workers already have the skills to create green homes, they just need the training to be able to access it. Upskilling your staff is an essential part of making a business more sustainable.
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
Recycling waste products is essential when it comes to overall sustainability around the world. The amount of waste that ends up in landfill that could have been recycled is astronomical, and it is contributing to the climate crisis. Paper, plastic and glass are all important materials which could be recycled – so if your company uses this during production, you should consider using a supplier that provides recycled products. In the office, you should ensure that your staff know which materials can be recycled, and provide bins for them to recycle in the office.
Prevent Waste Where Possible
As well as recycling waste where possible, you should also make sure that you’re preventing energy, materials and water from being wasted. If you create a product that creates a lot of waste byproduct, you should try and find ways to cut down on this. For example, going digital is essential if you want to cut down on paper waste, so if you can you should definitely consider this. Preventing waste is as important as recycling it if you want your business to be sustainable.
Cut Down On Travel
One of the largest contributors to the climate crisis is the amount of travel it can take to run a business. From employees getting to work to shipping supplies and products, it can take a huge toll on the environment. Encouraging employees to work from home or cycling to work where possible, or using a car share system, is essential if you want to cut down on damage caused by travel. You should also try to use local suppliers and eco-friendly couriers if you can – to ensure your business is as sustainable as possible.
Make Your Office Space Green
Commercial and office space contributes to a significant amount of global emissions – but you can cut down your business’ emissions to make your company more eco-friendly. For example, you can have your office spaces retrofitted with solar energy panels and insulation to significantly cut down the amount of energy it uses on a daily basis – as well as saving your business money on operational costs! Furthermore, you can even install water monitors that will prevent water being wasted in taps, toilets, showers, etc to prevent water waste in your office. Ensure that all retrofit installers have the appropriate construction NVQs or qualification equivalent in your country, so that the job is done well.
There could be many benefits when it comes to making your business more sustainable – from saving the planet, to attracting more customers, to cutting down on costs. This is predicted to be one of the biggest movements in the business world, and the green economy is coming fast – so you need to make sure that you’re preparing your business for the sustainable economy. Start your business’ journey to sustainability with these five steps today!
