How Small Businesses Can Be Green & Sustainable In 2020

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When it comes to climate change and global warming, it’s up to everyone to do their bit for the planet.

Businesses especially play an essential role in environmentalism, and there are lots they can do to do be greener.

But how can small businesses embrace sustainability in 2020? Read on to discover how.

Eschew expensive servers in favour of cloud computing

Digital technology is changing the logistics industry. But it also offers more sustainable business practices too, specifically through cloud computing.

Cloud computing formats like Google Apps, Apple iCloud, and Microsoft Office 365 let employees share and access information from anywhere, and can reduce the travel costs, carbon emissions, and printing costs of your small business.

As company information is hosted in the cloud, there is no need for your business to purchase and maintain expensive, power-intensive servers. As well as helping mitigate your business’s impact on the planet, this also dramatically reduces costs for your business overall, adding further incentive to embrace sustainability in 2020.

The IoT also plays an important role here. The inter-connectivity of systems means internal supply chain processes can happen quicker and with greater efficiency. While small, these changes add up and can save you time and wasted resources into the bargain.

Combine IoT and cloud-based technology to reduce your impact on the planet and expedite processes with greater efficiency. A little investment in time and money now will pay dividends in the future, both for your small business and the planet.

Save money and use secondhand office equipment

Sustainability consists of many elements, but it also involves reducing the creation of and demand for products we use in our day-to-day lives. For small businesses, this means office equipment — desks, chairs, cupboards, and so on.

Rather than investing in new products, opt for used or secondhand equipment instead. Much of this equipment is still good quality and perfectly usable (not to mention significantly cheaper, a strong incentive for small businesses). Plus, if your office isn’t client-facing, you don’t need to worry as much about aesthetics.

Reach out to local shared office spaces to see if they’re selling off cheap office equipment, or source a dedicated used office equipment supplier near you.

Go electric with your company vehicles

Many businesses operate a fleet of company cars, lorries, or other vehicles, especially those in the supply chain industry. Naturally, a fleet of vehicles of any size will have an impact on the planet, but it’s a necessity that businesses can’t do without.

Thankfully, electric cars offer a green and sustainable alternative. Far from being a niche business practice, electric vehicles are becoming normalised. Indeed, the UK government has brought forward its ban on the sale of petrol, diesel, or hybrid cars to 2035, so it’s worth adopting electric cars before it becomes mandatory.

The benefits of electric cars go beyond sustainability too — reduced transport costs, cheaper insurance, electric car tax and duty exemptions, and a staggering 80-90% saving on fuel. You’ll be required to make the switch to electric cars anyway, and being an early adopter of the technology will just save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

Opt for green suppliers wherever possible

While embracing sustainability within your business is important, it’s also worth considering the other companies with which you do business. Beyond your business’s role in the supply chain, look at how your partners and suppliers operate too.

This isn’t to say you should drop partners completely if they do not implement green initiatives — far from it. But in some cases, it is possible to switch suppliers to more eco-friendly alternatives.

These could be small switches, for instance, switching your paper supplier to a company that uses recyclable pulp or biodegradable packaging. Alternatively, you could evaluate your entire supply chain and seek partners with more environmentally sustainable business practices.

Before making the switch, consult with your existing suppliers first. They might be working on implementing sustainable business practices already, so there’s no point eschewing an existing relationship without checking first.

While small businesses might lack the budget of bigger brands when it comes to implementing eco-friendly policies, there’s still plenty they can do to do their bit. Follow the tips above and make your small business as green and sustainable as possible in 2020.

About the Author; Stevie Nicks is Digital Editor at Just Another Magazine – a website that covers the topics you care about. You’ll find articles about lifestyle, travel, fashion, trends and relationships on our site – each of which is written in our unique style.