Growing a greener business

The time to debate the importance of greener business and protecting the environment has passed. As droughts wither crops across Western Europe, and areas of Australia see their fourth round of torrential floods in a year, the threat posed by climate change is clear and action needs to be taken.

But recognising something needs to be done is one thing – knowing what to do is something else entirely. Especially for businesses, where common suggestions can sometimes mean hefty costs to implement.

There are plenty of simple steps that you can take to grow a greener business. From supporting employees in making more sustainable choices, to subtle changes in company operations – this is one area where small shifts can yield big results.

At FC Payroll Solutions, we applaud anyone who wants to lighten the load they place on the planet, so we’ve put together some tips and suggestions to help you grow a greener business and improve working conditions for your employees.

Growing a greener business

Rather than being a financial strain on your company, green business practices can actually bring many benefits for you as well as the planet. In fact, when choosing between similar products, 90% of customers would buy from a company that demonstrates environmentally-friendly practices when possible. 

The same research has shown that customers are even willing to help share the cost of sustainable choices. In fact, they are happy to pay up to 20% more for products that are environmentally sound.

There are also grants to help you cover the initial outlay for more sustainable upgrades. 

From signing a Climate Change Agreement in order to receive rate reductions to applying for a Green Business Grant to cover the costs of installing more efficient equipment, you don’t have to be scared off by these early costs.

Once you’ve implemented more eco-friendly equipment, you will start to notice the ongoing financial benefit. Being more environmentally friendly is all about using less resources and less energy. And the less you use, the less you need to pay for.

Create a greener business with smart energy decisions

Some steps you can take to cut your energy usage and cut your energy bills are:

• Change over to smart energy meters to allow closer monitoring of your energy usage and spot unnecessary use
• Switch from desktop computers to laptops – they use a lot less power
• Insulate your office building
• Open a window to cool down rather than reaching for the air conditioning

You’ll soon find that picking environmentally friendly options doesn’t have to be a choice between conscience and profit.

Swap to greener business suppliers

Another option that can sometimes lead to surprise savings, whilst growing a greener business, is swapping to eco-friendly suppliers.

Whether this means investing in a paperless system, swapping to carbon-balanced printers, offset web hosting or choosing recycled toilet rolls, you can find plenty of sustainable options to help make your office space more eco-friendly. 

The unexpected savings of remote working

Remote working has proven to be a contentious issue but one of the benefits it brings is a greener way of doing business.

Remote working reduces costs and saves energy compared with office use, and remote working will significantly shrink the carbon footprint of your employees who are no longer travelling to the office. As well as saving their time, this will save on petrol and reduce pollution – an even bigger reduction when you consider that travel during rush hour is generally considerably slower and longer.

This is not a tactic that will work for every company or even every worker, but if it is a move you are considering, then don’t forget to factor in the environmental impact, too.

Build a green team

Getting your people involved in developing a greener business is a great way to get your whole team to make sustainable changes. Embedding eco-friendly practices into workplace culture can lead by example, encouraging others to follow your way of operating. This can cost money upfront and will definitely mean making heartfelt commitments, but it will pay off in the long run.

Start a cycle to work scheme

Cycling to work can do more than just protect the environment. It will help improve the physical health of employees and in a time of soaring petrol prices it will even improve the health of their bank balance. 

However just telling people isn’t enough to get a scheme like this to take off. Look at common barriers, such as bike costs, and see what you can do to overcome them.

Salary sacrifice schemes and employee discounts can help take the sting out of initial purchase prices. Providing voluntary workshops on bike maintenance can also help anyone fretting about picking up a puncture on their way in. Alternatively, arranging for an external bike mechanic to run a weekly or monthly upkeep programme could also encourage people who haven’t cycled since childhood.

For more rural companies and long-distance commutes, then carpooling could be a more realistic alternative. Choosing to carpool can save a significant amount of energy and reduce carbon emissions substantially. Not only that, one study found that 22% of carpoolers will consciously drive slower when carrying passengers, making our roads safer too.

Create a food share scheme

Another way to run a greener business is to set up a food share scheme. This means encouraging your team to share the leftovers of their culinary creations with their colleagues on a regular basis. This will not only help cut down on food waste, it also benefits staff who save time and energy too.

To take it one step further, you could even incentivise your staff to recycle by installing reverse vending machines. The machines will actually pay you to recycle your plastic waste.

Become a greener business with B Corp status

If you’re truly dedicated to making ethical and environmental changes in your company, then earning B Corp Certification is the best way to prove it.

This status is only awarded to businesses that meet “high standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials”.

Earning this status is not quick or easy. The process involves a number of stages including an impact assessment and legal requirement. There is also an evaluation and verification process to complete, too.

This isn’t a quick fix for people who want to claim the glory of green practices. However, it is the current gold standard that proves you are working towards lowering your impact on the environment with your business.

It will definitely prove to your customers and your staff that you are fully committed, too.

Making sure your business works in the greenest way possible has never been more important. And this is an ongoing, upwards trajectory – this importance is only going to grow.

The changes we’ve covered here are great options that can apply across a whole range of businesses. So what’s stopping you going a little bit greener in the future?