10 Reasons why sustainability is important in business

A sustainable business refers to an organisation or enterprise that has a minimal negative impact on the global and local environment. In business, sustainability practices are typically measured against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics.

Sustainability for business helps to reduce and overcome environmental, social, and governance challenges through sustainable strategies and eco-friendly business operations.

Sustainable businesses are ready for the future and are leaders in the fight against climate change and other environmental challenges.

Sustainability is important in business and the workplace for many reasons. Promoting sustainable practices and eco-friendly processes meets modern consumer demands while reducing negative environmental impact and creating a positive effect on the community, society, and economy.

Without sustainable practices in business, the health and well-being of the environment along with future generations will be compromised.

Recycling programmes and initiatives can help to reduce an organisation's environmental footprint. This is achieved by conserving natural resources, reducing carbon emissions, and reducing demand for raw materials.

Additionally, recycling programmes can reduce waste costs, maximise business profitability, and even free up available funds to spend on other sustainable initiatives.

Energy-efficient appliances, such as LED lightbulbs and smart thermostats, allow businesses to reduce energy consumption and save on their energy bills.

Old and outdated technology uses significant amounts of energy to run at optimal performance. Replacing old appliances and devices is an easy way to improve business efficiency, reduce overheads, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

There are many ways that businesses can reduce waste at work including removing single-use plastics, providing reusable items such as coffee cups and water bottles, and only printing essential documents.

Where possible, businesses should also look to reuse, repurpose, and recycle any waste before disposing of unwanted materials.

Businesses should consider sustainable transport initiatives and alternatives to travel to reduce their carbon footprint. Employee initiatives, such as the Cycle to Work scheme, are great ways of making business travel more sustainable.

Additionally, travelling to meetings or events, walking, biking, and using public transport can significantly help to reduce carbon emissions offset by a business.

Zoom meetings, green event venues, and sustainable event vendors are all excellent examples of how businesses can reduce energy consumption at events. Events require a significant amount of energy that contributes to carbon emissions.

To become sustainably aware, businesses and companies should consider video conferencing, public transport links, and ways to reduce the environmental impact of essential company events.

A sustainable supply chain is one that uses sustainable practices to prevent negative impacts on people and the environment. Organisations can optimise sustainability in the supply chain by working with suppliers who adhere to ethical and eco-friendly practices.

To achieve this, businesses need visibility of their supply chain performance and to be aware of the product journey throughout its journey to the consumer.

Water conservation can help businesses save money and divert less water from bodies of water around the world. This helps to keep the environment healthy and minimises the effects of drought.

Many businesses aim to reduce their water consumption by implementing water-saving technologies, such as spray taps, capturing rainwater, and supporting local water conservation initiatives. 

Educating employees about the importance of sustainability practices through training exercises is a great way to incorporate sustainability into company culture. This can also encourage employees to take notice of new sustainability measures and to adopt eco-friendly practices at home.

Sustainability training courses focus on a range of topics, including energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible consumption, and are designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to implement efficiency measures.

Flexible work policies, such as remote or hybrid work opportunities can also help to reduce emissions. This is accomplished by reducing travel into the workplace and therefore, reducing the carbon footprint associated with commuting.

With more employees working from home, businesses are also likely to see cost savings on energy bills as flexible work eliminates the need for vast office spaces and reduces energy consumption.

Transitioning to a paperless office reduces the consumption of paper and minimises waste. This can be achieved by implementing sustainable IT solutions and encouraging digital communication and the use of electronic documents.

Furthermore, paperless office solutions can reduce clutter, improve organisation in the workplace and enable streamlined reporting.

At CHG-MERIDIAN, we are dedicated to enabling our customers to be at the forefront of their sustainability strategy in their industry. To accelerate your business operations with the latest IT innovations and keep on top of the latest technologies, get in touch with a member of the CHG-MERIDIAN team today.