5 Easy Ways To Improve Sustainability for Your Business
by Marilyn Bunderson
Shopping online—and the shipping that comes with it—is a solid part of our culture. It’s truly become necessary to life as we know it. But those supply chains that make online shopping possible are wreaking havoc on our environment, and many have called for sustainability measures to be put in place.
The United States and many other countries around the world have adopted initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions by a certain year. The U.S. is targeting 2050—an aggressive goal that will take a combination of reducing pollution through clean energy production, wasting less energy, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and more.
Supply chains account for more than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions that impact our global environment (significantly more, according to some studies). Ecommerce businesses can’t control every aspect of their supply chain, but you can take steps to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your sustainability. And we’re here to help.
Why is sustainability important for my business?
Sustainability has rapidly become a buzzword in the business world, and for a good reason. Incorporating sustainability into your business model can lead to lower costs, improved brand image, and possibly even new business opportunities.
And that’s not all! Focusing on sustainability can also help you win (and keep) more customers. Fifty-seven percent of consumers are willing to change their buying habits to reduce their negative impact on the environment, 73% want to personally reduce their environmental impact, and 91% would like to see eco-friendly shipping options.
Let’s look at five easy ways you can embrace sustainability in your business:
1. Source your materials sustainably
Ensure that the materials and products you use come from sources that prioritize environmental preservation. This might mean opting for suppliers that use renewable resources or have sustainable farming or production practices. This will promote a chain of sustainability in the market.
2. Use eco-friendly tech
Investing in eco-friendly technology, like energy-efficient equipment and appliances, can lead to significant long-term savings and a reduced carbon footprint. Solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and smart thermostats are all excellent examples of this. Think about moving to the cloud to reduce your on-premise footprint. You’ll be reducing energy usage and costs as well.
3. Measure your carbon footprint
What is your carbon footprint? It’s the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gasses emitted due to your business operations, either directly or indirectly. Knowing your carbon footprint can help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress toward greater sustainability.
4. Engage in 100% carbon neutral shipping
With ecommerce booming, shipping is an area where many businesses can make a significant impact. Opting for 100% carbon neutral shipping means that for every ton of CO2 your shipping emits, an equivalent amount is offset by supporting environment-friendly projects. Learn more about carbon neutral shipping.
What are carbon offsets? Carbon offsets are investments in projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide emissions elsewhere, like reforestation or renewable energy installations. When you buy a carbon offset, you're essentially balancing out your own emissions.
If you’re partnering with EasyPost for your shipping, your shipping is 100% carbon neutral. We automatically calculate the emissions for every shipping label we print and purchase carbon credits to offset the impact of the parcel.
5. Use eco-friendly packaging
This one's a twofer! First, switch to packaging made from recycled or biodegradable materials. Not only will this reduce waste, but customers also love seeing businesses make sustainable choices.
Second, make sure your packaging is right-sized for the item you’re shipping. You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll save by reducing the waste of excess space and cardboard weight in packaging.
Speaking of waste, always look for ways to minimize it. This could be through streamlining processes, recycling, or reusing materials. Remember to promote and make use of recyclables whenever possible.
Becoming more sustainable may seem a bit daunting, but small steps can make a big difference. If one of those steps is using EasyPost to handle your shipping, you’re already 100% carbon neutral with your shipping—congratulations!
Learn more about our 100% carbon-neutral shipping initiative.