Looking for ways to make a difference? While there are plenty of reasons to taiwan number example make efforts to reduce your carbon footprint, one powerful reason to move forward in this area is that adopting sustainable practices can create new business opportunities and meet market demand.
As global awareness of the need to adopt more sustainable practices increases, more and more consumers are looking for products and services that are environmentally friendly . In this context, incorporating sustainability into small businesses can be an effective strategy to meet market demand and reduce the ecological footprint.
Now, what does it mean? There are many definitions, but for these purposes we will consider that it refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the capabilities of future generations, guaranteeing a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.
As you can see, the concept is broad and quite abstract, but this time we share with you some tips to apply in your daily life.
Reduce the amount of waste and the energy and water consumption generated by your business: in general, applying simple changes can be very effective and it is not necessary to invest money . Do you wash a lot of dishes? Use the water to water plants or the garden.
Connect with your surroundings/neighbourhood: explore the possibilities of collaborating with your neighbours. Sometimes we think we are alone in this, but the truth is that many people are interested in making changes and it is easier to promote them in a community. Ask what services your municipality offers, share your concerns and form alliances. A good example is the cartoneros: this is a little-known activity, but it is key to caring for the environment and you can easily incorporate it into your production process if you know someone who is dedicated to the trade in your sector.
Buy in bulk: It's incredible how many cleaning products a household uses every month, and that number increases when we talk about businesses. Today, it's possible to find all of these products in bulk at very competitive prices , even better than those on the market because you're not paying for the packaging. On the cooperative list of @vidasustentablechile you can find different alternatives to buy not only in Santiago, but also in the regions.
Now that I'm on the path to becoming a more sustainable business, how do I communicate this?
Although developing these actions has a deep sense of commitment to the environment, it can also provide a certain benefit to your company's reputation. Finding a way to communicate this can add value to what you offer , since as we mentioned at the beginning of the article, more and more people take this factor into account when choosing a product or service.
If it makes sense to you, you can apply different strategies to communicate it to your audience depending on the communication channels available. Here are some ideas:
A video: if you adopt a good practice, a picture is worth a thousand words! The editing tools built into Tik Tok or Instagram are very easy to use and allow you to put together a video in just a few minutes. If you are recycling your plastics, record the moment you are going to drop them off at the container and tell your followers about it. In the process, you may become an inspiration for someone else.
If you are preferring a service or product for its sustainable approach, let them know: for example, if you decide to buy detergent in bulk, ask the person if they would be interested in doing a collaborative post on Instagram. It is very easy and almost always results in a mutual benefit, because it increases the reach and interaction of the content.
Encourage your customers to reduce the use of single-use plastics: if you provide disposable packaging, talk to your customers and suggest that they bring their own container on their next visit (to make it more attractive you can offer some kind of discount). The initiative is a win-win from different angles, because that discount could even invite the customer to come back on future occasions.
Ultimately, incorporating some of these practices can be a strategy that benefits the business from different points of view and, therefore, it is important that micro and small entrepreneurs work in collaboration with their local communities and get involved in initiatives that promote sustainability and environmental protection.
Elisa Johnson