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Does Sustainability Give Your Business An Edge? Yes, And This Is Why

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Have you heard about the sustainability movement? Are you curious what it all entails? Is it something that is for homeowners? Or does sustainability give your business an edge? The truth is, everyone should understand what sustainability means and why it is so vital in today’s world.

A recent COMMERCIALCafé sustainability report named the 40 most sustainably powered cities in the United States. As we see a shift in how our world acts, businesses are taking notice and making the change to become more sustainable. However, since March 2017, only about 10 percent of the monthly electricity in the US comes from wind and solar.

Is being sustainable something companies should be striving for? And does sustainability give your business an edge? Let’s take a look at what it really means to be sustainable and how it will benefit companies across the country.

What Does It Mean to Be Sustainable?

The sustainability movement can be defined in many different ways. For one, it can mean that someone or something is continuing on their current path, that they are very resilient.

Nowadays, though, the term sustainable or sustainability is intertwined with the environmentalist movement which focuses on improving the  state of our world. It means you work towards reducing your harmful environmental footprint. There is an economic system in which there is a quality life, while still maintaining the environment and its resources.

Is It Worth Businesses Being Sustainable?

There are very few downsides to being more sustainable. In fact, the push to being sustainable will likely do your business much good.

Here are some of the primary benefits of sustainability for businesses.

You Will Cut Costs

When you work towards a sustainable business, you’ll notice a few things right away. The first is that you are likely to save money. Although there may be the initial investment in switching out certain things to be more energy efficient. Down the road, though, those changes will pay off in energy savings.

You Reach More Customers

Another point is that consumers are leaning towards companies that are following a sustainable path. Protecting the environment is becoming a top priority for many and they will support the companies that follow suit.

Many companies hear this and are skeptical. They think to themselves:

“Of course, a few hippies the California Bay Area would support sustainability. But how big of an issue is it to most of my customers? Is there enough of a demand for sustainability to build my marketing message around it?”

The answer is an unequivocal “yes.” The demand for sustainability has surged in recent years. Last year, a poll found that 86% of customers preferred working with green companies. This was a massive increase from the 53% of customers that felt the same way a decade earlier.

You Face Fewer Regulatory Costs

Environmental regulations are becoming more strict every year. Most businesses don’t even know all of these policies and they may be subjectively enforced. The people that avoid the fines are those that go the extra mile.

How Can A Business Become Sustainable?

There are many changes a company can make to become more sustainable. From simple daily changes to larger tasks, each step a business takes is in the right direction.

First, consider the products you’re using. Are the cleaning products environmentally friendly, or are they filled with harsh chemicals? How about any packaging your business does? Is there a way to reduce the amount of packaging needed, or to use recycled materials instead?

Recycling as much as you can is another simple step to take. Having bins for paper, cardboard, electronics, cans, and anything else that is accepted will make recycling easier for employees. The more you can encourage the staff to recycle and be environmentally cautious, the more they will follow along.

Wherever you can change out things like lightbulbs, water heaters, or anything else that relies on power with an energy efficient alternative. Many appliances now are built to be energy efficient. There are LED light bulbs that you can use instead of incandescent ones. All of these changes will save the company a lot of money down the road.

Sustainability is the Future for Businesses Around the Globe

Start making the changes today to becoming more sustainable. You’ll soon start to see the benefits financially, as well as a boost in your company’s reputation.