Going green doesn’t mean massive operational changes. If you’re a business owner or manager, here are a few steps you can take to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and that of your customers:

One way to promote sustainability is to ensure an eco-friendly supply chain. Are your raw products sustainably sourced? Do you use energy-efficient tools, machinery or vehicles? Interview vendors about their sustainability efforts and guidelines to see if they can help boost your commitment to sustainability.

It’s one thing to design green products, but it’s another to minimise their environmental impact throughout their life cycle. Make sure to consider sustainability for your product’s packaging and disposal.

Start with the product label. Consumers look at it for information on how to use and dispose of a product. Ensure that recycling information and other details on responsible consumption are clearly stated on the label.

Packaging matters, too. Plastic pollution is a pressing global environmental issue. If you’ve been using plastic in your packaging, consider switching to reusable bags or other eco-friendly substitutes.

Another way to adopt green business practices is to encourage sustainability within your organisation. Begin with forming a dedicated team for it. Projects for this team could include starting or implementing a more effective recycling program in the office and creating a procurement policy for green office supplies.

This team can also educate and empower the rest of the organisation with informational sessions with local departments of water and power or non-profit environmental organisations. Employees engaging one another can be more effective than sending monthly memos from the top.

Your commitment to sustainability shouldn’t only be contained to your office and supply chain. It must be communicated to potential customers. You can begin with giving out eco promotional products like bamboo twist pens and tote bags during trade shows. Go paperless or, at least, reduce the use of paper during promotional events. If it’s possible, invest in energy-efficient digital displays for your booth.

Many organisations shy away from making a formal commitment to eco-friendly practices until they have experienced notable improvements. But an official statement helps inform your customers that you’re doing your part to preserve the environment. This also holds your organisation to a higher standard.

Be mindful, however, not to mislead your customers. Stress that sustainability isn’t a destination but a process that your organisation is willing to go through each day to achieve continuous improvements.

Addressing global environmental issues is a long-term process. Consumers are ready to change their consumption habits to battle against these issues, but they still need businesses to lead the charge.

If you want to start with eco-friendly office and promotional products, T&D is here to help. Give us a call.

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