We have a collective responsibility to do our bit to preserve our planet for future generations. With the increased awareness around climate change, deforestation and pollution, there is growing pressure for businesses to act in more sustainable ways.

In fact, an estimated 17% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the UK originate from the business sector. This highlights the importance of integrating sustainable practices into your company. Here are some simple ways to reduce the environmental impact of your organisation.

Re-Evaluate Your Packaging

In the UK, over 2 million tons of plastic packaging is used each year, which contributes in no small way to the worsening sea pollution crisis. At present, about 88% of the surface of the sea is polluted by plastic debris. Therefore, the need for solutions to manage plastic consumption could not be more evident.

There is a growing number of sustainable packaging options on the market. For example, recycled polythene is becoming increasingly common. Making eco-friendly changes to the packaging for your business can have a positive impact on the environment. One excellent eco-friendly option is to switch over to eco-friendly customized mailer boxes. Custom designed eco-friendly mailer boxes promote your business and its eco-consciousness while also helping you decrease your product shipping waste. These boxes are made with sustainable materials such as recycled cardboard, paper, and plastic – all with recyclable properties to reduce reliance on single-use packaging. One company that is helping businesses reduce their plastic consumption, expenditure and carbon footprint is Polythene UK. Using their carbon-neutral eco-friendly polythene, you can reduce the environmental impact of your organisation.

Make Your Business Paperless

Nowadays, there is almost no reason to send out paper bills or invoices. The world is becoming increasingly digital, and many companies now use e-billing software and internet banking. A common strategy is for businesses to give their customers the option of paperless billing. However, this often doesn’t have the desired uptake, so it can often be better to make paperless billing standard practice and offer your clients the option to opt-out.

Making your business entirely paperless requires more than just sending bills electronically. There are many systems available nowadays to help companies ensure all their internal practices are paperless. Avoiding printing documents, using fillable PDF forms, and online ordering solutions are valuable tools to enhance your company’s sustainability.

Encourage Employees to Walk or Cycle

Another way to make your business more eco-friendly is to incentivise your employees to ditch their cars on their daily commute. A significant proportion of the greenhouse gas emissions in the country come from road transport. So, by reducing your company’s reliance on cars, you can decrease emissions that damage the environment and lead to climate change.

Many companies now implement cycle to work schemes within their organisation. These give team members discounts on bikes and cycling equipment to encourage them to move towards two-wheeled transport. Not only does this benefit the environment, but it can also improve the health of your workforce and improve the mental wellbeing of your staff. There is a strong link between physical activity and mental health, so incentivising employees to exercise can help your business in more ways than one.

Conclusion

Overall, there is a great deal of pressure on businesses to operate sustainably. While the impact of a single organisation changing its environmental policies might be negligible, there is a lot to be said for the benefits of collective action across the business sector.