The impact of climate change and global warming have been a hot topic for decades. People are having their eyes open to what climate change is doing to our planet. Across the world, we are more connected than ever and are able to see how the effects of climate change differ from country to country. While seaside towns may be suffering from rising sea levels, countries closer to the equator may be experiencing a drought. It’s the reason more and more people are opting for a carbon conscious lifestyle.
For a lot of businesses who may be focusing on increasing profits, opting for an environmental approach may be less than ideal. They may consider it an unnecessary investment. This is why the UK government introduced legislation that requires businesses to meet specific sustainability targets. These requirements relate to:
- Where your company disposes of its waste.
- How your company avoids creating pollution.
- Submitting annual reports of your energy usage.
- Lowering your carbon emissions.
- Recycling your waste.
These are also relevant to meeting your businesses ESG policy. If you weren’t aware this means Environmental, Social and Governance. They are guidelines a company may create, stating their approach to issues related to the environment, social issues/schemes or how your business is transparent to your audience.
…Okay, so we’re clear on why you need to change your approach to sustainability, but what can you do to meet sustainability targets?
1. Research and establish your goals
You can’t start working towards your goals without knowing what you’re working towards in the first place. These goals should be achievable and given an end-date. This encourages you to put the effort in to achieve them by, without putting the stress on your shoulders to reach a difficult to complete goal. See the areas where your business isn’t running in a sustainable way, and identify the steps needed to achieve your carbon footprint target effectively. Can you shift to a more eco-conscious approach? How can you take what you’ve already accomplished, and do even better?
These goals should constantly evolve, reflecting how far you’ve come, and how much more you can do. A great place to start would be with a waste audit.
2. Recycling
This is the big one. The waste you create needs to be dealt with in a sustainable way. Waste collection companies work on behalf of you, meaning if your waste isn’t recycled correctly, the responsibility falls in your hands, not theirs. Your business waste should be organised before collection, so we recommend investing in recycling bins to encourage employees.
Once the waste is separated, it can be collected, processed and recycled by a waste management company.
3. Create a waste management plan
If you have completed a waste audit, you can begin to move forward with your carbon footprint target objectives. The best way to manage this is with a waste management plan. The best ones are those created using a scientific, data-driven approach, utilising the research found during your audit. It is a strategy relevant to everyone in the business, providing guidance on what they can, and should do to help reach the targets set.
A waste management plan doesn’t just help you in complying with UK legislation, but can reduce your business waste costs too.
4. Understanding energy
Ask yourself: “Are the products and tools used in the workplace energy efficient and sustainable?” There’s a good chance the answer is no, and there’s also the chance you’ve already started thinking of ways you can change that.
However, the amount of energy you use can’t just be fixed by switching to energy-saving light bulbs. It needs to go further, and on a larger scale. Can you switch to vehicles powered by biofuel? Can your compactors run on solar energy? Are the partners you work with also sustainable? You need to re-assess the inner workings of your business, and see where you can improve.
Meeting your company’s carbon footprint target isn’t just a regulatory requirement; it’s also a chance to showcase your commitment to sustainability and future-proofing your business operations. By taking proactive steps you not only align with legislation but also position your business as a leader in sustainability. We can help you do just that. We can provide a free waste audit and create an effective and efficient waste management plan for your business, putting you on a path to reach your sustainability targets.
