3 Ways Businesses Can Reduce Their Environmental Impact (Without Compromising Efficiency)

For years, consumers have taken the lead with sustainability initiatives. While many people are doing their best to improve their impact on the environment, there has also been a recent focus on businesses.

It is difficult for consumers to correct negative environmental trends if the businesses they patronize accumulate carbon emissions before their products and services reach their customers.

Here are three key ways businesses can reduce their impact on the environment while benefiting their own operational efficiencies in the process.

If a person recycles, that's a nice statement, but it doesn't do much good. However, if everyone recycles, you can start to see results.

The same goes for businesses. If just one company in an industry or part of a supply chain makes an effort, it may be inspiring, but it won't do much. If everyone aligns their interests in favor of sustainable functioning, this can create a real ripple effect.

Writing on sustainability in the food industry, Nicole Atchison, CEO of PURIS Holdings, a maker of plant-based protein foods, says, "Food and agriculture contributed $1.1 trillion to the gross domestic product of the United States in 2019, a share of 5.2%. This system can be a source of good when all stakeholders are aligned, showing that change is necessary, possible and profitable."< /p>

When businesses come together collectively, real change can happen.

Dematerialization has been a growing movement among consumers and businesses for years, and for good reason.

Corporation! Magazine points out that while the paper itself isn't too expensive, "the hidden costs of paper handling could be up to 31 times the cost of the paper." The publication adds that American companies waste $8 billion a year just on paper management (before the pandemic). Record Nations also reports that US paper consumption has increased 126% (to 208 million tons) over the past 20 years.

The remote revolution that has arisen from the pandemic has helped reduce some of the reliance on physical paper. Still, as many leaders again demand in-person operations, it's important to continue to prioritize going paperless. Effort can avoid waste and even has hidden benefits for businesses...