Why sustainability in business is increasingly important

By
IntelligentHQ

It’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to be seen as sustainable. Whether that’s in the way they operate or how they produce their products, there are a number of ways in which businesses can make positive changes. As consumers are becoming much more conscious about where they buy products from and how much they purchase, it’s only fair that companies across the world make the same shift.

According to HSBC’s Made for the Future report, almost half of UK companies are planning to increase their environment-related spending between now and summer 2021. 69% will be focusing on making their manufacturing process more sustainable, and 66% will be improving their internal procedures.

Operational efficiency must improve

Although companies may feel there are high initial costs when on the road to becoming more sustainable, the long term benefits for those who are forward-thinking are second to none. By evaluating your processes and operations and developing a plan to make changes, you’ll also be starting to comply with upcoming regulations around sustainability.

The UK environmental and sustainability policy sets out a commitment to minimise waste by reduction, re-use and recycling methods, the compliance with all relevant environmental legislations and more.

There are many companies out there who are already beginning to make changes. For example instantprint, an FSC certified online printing business, are beginning to look into ways they can change their internal processes by adopting a more environmentally friendly company ethos.

Jon Constantine-Smith, Head of instantprint, said “The ethos throughout… is focused around being as environmentally friendly as possible. One of the outcomes of the company’s “war on waste” meetings, which are focused around encouraging everyone in the business to think about the positive impact they could have on the company’s waste reduction, led to the implementation of many projects, including a huge focus on recycling.”

Businesses must meet the government’s net-zero by 2050 target

In June 2019, parliament passed a legislation requiring the government to reduce the UK’s net emissions of greenhouse gasses by 100%, relative to 1990 levels, by 2050. This would ultimately make the UK a ‘net zero’ emitter. But, to reach such a goal, requires the help of businesses and home across the country to make changes, and fast.

While some are slow off the mark, many organisations have already begun to make changes, and see changes too. With the younger generations who are of working age growing more and more concerned with our impact on the environment, many are turning to businesses who are making these changes to gain employment. Young people don’t want to be linked to companies who have a negative impact on the world, they want to be seen to be working with those who want to make the world a better place.

“Each bank of desks in the office consists of a general waste bin and a paper recycling bin to ensure even office waste is recycled.”, commented Jon Constantine-Smith, head of instantprint. The printing firm has also implemented many energy saving policies such as a PC power off policy whereby every PC is switched off before each member of staff leaves for the day. Every lightbulb in the building is also a low energy LED lightbulb, meaning that as little energy is consumed as possible.

Make the right changes now for a better tomorrow

We all want to be part of the change, not the problem. Which is why it’s crucial for businesses to get on board with making the right changes now, before it’s too late.

 

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