I Use These 7 Methods to Make My Business More Eco-Friendly — Maybe You Can Use Them, Too. Businesses in 2023 must go beyond profit and embrace corporate social responsibility and sustainability for long-lasting success. By engaging in ethical initiatives, companies enhance their reputation, foster customer loyalty and build a strong work culture.
By Jason Miller Edited by Kara McIntyre
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Today's businesses need to focus on more than just getting the all-mighty dollar. With the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, companies are expected to do more for their communities and to give back. A tricky feat, but necessary for companies that want to stay relevant and successful. Why should businesses care about doing their part? Let's talk about it.
Incorporating CSR and sustainability into business strategies is essential for success no matter the size of your business. I have used the methods we will discuss to enhance my company's business reputation, engagement of employees and foster customer loyalty. These initiatives attract individuals who share your values which will improve work culture and build stronger customer relationships.
Related: 5 Tips to Instill Corporate Social Responsibility Into Every Aspect of Your Brand
Examples of CSR in modern business
My main company, Strategic Advisor Board, recognizes the importance of environmental sustainability and has established the "Environmental Stewardship Initiative" as part of its corporate responsibility program. This initiative aims to reduce the company's environmental footprint and contribute to the preservation and protection of the environment.
We've incorporated the following components that you might consider, too:
- Energy conservation: My board members actively promote energy conservation practices within our offices and operations. This includes implementing energy-efficient technologies, optimizing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and encouraging employees to minimize energy consumption.
- Waste management: My company has implemented a comprehensive waste management system that focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling. Recycling stations are available throughout the premises and employees are educated about proper waste segregation and responsible disposal practices.
- Paperless operations: I am very committed in all my companies to reducing paper usage and transitioning to digital processes whenever possible. This includes utilizing electronic document management systems, promoting online communication and collaboration tools and encouraging employees to minimize unnecessary printing.
- Sustainable procurement: One of our major focuses is prioritizing sustainable procurement practices by sourcing products and services from environmentally responsible suppliers. Factors we consider are the supplier's environmental policies, use of eco-friendly materials and adherence to ethical and sustainable practices.
- Employee engagement: The Environmental Stewardship Initiative actively involves employees in promoting environmentally friendly practices. As CEO, I encourage our leadership to organize awareness campaigns, workshops and training sessions to educate our employees about sustainability, conservation and the importance of individual actions in reducing the ecological footprint.
- Community outreach: My board of directors extends its commitment to environmental stewardship beyond its own operations. It collaborates with local environmental organizations and community groups to support initiatives such as tree-planting drives, beach clean-ups and environmental educational programs. These initiatives aim to raise awareness and engage the community in environmental conservation efforts.
- Impact measurement and evaluation: To ensure the initiative's effectiveness, my company monitors and measures its environmental performance regularly. Key metrics such as energy consumption, waste reduction and paper usage are tracked to identify areas for improvement and set targets for continuous progress.
Related: 10 Ways to Make Your Business More Socially Conscious
Challenges and obstacles
While social responsibility and sustainability may seem easy, companies may face a few issues when they begin adopting new practices. The first is that many business owners don't understand what these policies can look like. Company owners will often say they care about the environment and their staff, but they won't have well-defined initiatives to show how they're following through.
Reluctance to change is one of the biggest obstacles to promoting sustainability. Company leaders might believe the task is too daunting and think business is already going well so they don't see a reason to change it. They also might wonder what the metrics would look like to measure the changes. Since there's no one step or framework to CSR, many businesses don't know where to start.
My recommendation is to start with smaller initiatives that get everyone in the organization on board, including the customers. A local highway cleanup would be a great place to start as it's easy to organize and will make a community-wide impact.
Strategies for incorporating CSR into business operations
Integrating CSR and sustainability into your business practices may appear challenging, but I have some strategies to help you put your plans into action. You'll need leadership commitment and support. In order to do this, get down to what customers want. Create a customer survey and find out what social causes your current customers support and care about.
According to the 2023 Business of Sustainability Index, 74% of consumers care about the environmental impact of the products they buy. Consumers are specifically searching for companies that are socially responsible to buy products from but need help recognizing which companies are environmentally friendly.
Make it easy for your consumers to see you have CSR initiatives established in your organization. This can be done by incorporating it into your mission statement, using clear labels on your products and getting third-party tested. Make it known on your social media pages and website you can be counted on as a company that participates in CSR.
There's been a shift over the years to consumers willing to pay more for products that are environmentally friendly. The same report goes on to say in 2023, 68% of consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products vs. 64% in 2021. So take that into consideration when making changes to include CSR in your business and benefit from a more positive reputation and loyal clients.
