It’s easy to get caught up in the “go big, or go home” mentality… especially when running a business. It can often feel like there’s a lot of pressure to have everything figured out from day one- but the truth is we’re all just humans that are learning as we go. It’s never too late to implement changes in your business, and they don’t always have to be grand gestures. If you’re running a business and are looking for ways to be more eco-friendly, read on as I have a few suggestions for you.
Eco-Friendly Print Marketing
When growing a business, it’s important to get your business in front of as many people as possible. Business cards, letterhead, flyers, menus, door hangers, brochures, magnets, pens, calendars… and the list goes on! But that doesn’t mean we have to pollute the planet in the process. Luckily, we now have many eco-friendly options available to us.
• Use vegetable or soy based inks, as they do not contain petroleum and are much easier to recycle.
• Print on eco-friendly materials. Search for a printer that offers bamboo, hemp, or recycled paper.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
As small business owners, we want our customers to have a memorable experience when they receive our products. Because of this, we often spend a lot of time putting together the perfect packaging to ensure their products arrive safely while also perfectly showcasing our brand. The good news is there are plenty of environmentally friendly packaging options that won’t hinder your brand experience.
• Replace your plastic mailers with compostable or corrugated packaging.
• Ditch the plastic bubble wrap & styrofoam, and instead use green cell foam (biodegradable packing peanuts) or mushroom packaging.
Reduce Waste
The next time you’re working, take a look through your garbage & recycling bins. How can you reduce the amount of waste that ends up there?
• Talk to your suppliers, and request that they don’t use any plastic when shipping products to you. Take it one step further, and educate them on the eco-friendly alternatives that are available!
• Consider operating on a pre-order or made-to-order basis. Producing items that have already been purchased can reduce a lot of waste, and save you from overstocking.
• Re-purpose materials & products.
For example, if you’re a baker, consider donating day old goods to homeless shelters. Or you could give customers the option to purchase an “in need” box made up of items that aren’t pretty enough to sell- but are still tasty & nutritious. Boxes can then be given to those in need around the community.
If you’re a soap maker and have scrap pieces of soap, consider offering a “sample pack” or “mystery bundle.” This way, clients have the opportunity to experience your product, and those scrap pieces get put to good use!
Making a difference often happens in the small moments. Small changes can make such a big difference in the long run. And the small changes you implement today, are the perfect stepping stones for the bigger changes you’ll make in the future!
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