How To Make Your Business Sustainable

Find out exactly what a sustainable business is and the steps you can take to create a greener business. Consumers are increasingly passionate about looking after our environment and actively seek brands with eco-friendly credentials and practices [Updated Sept 2025]

Consumers are concerned about their ecological footprint and how their actions affect the environment. They increasingly want to buy from brands that share these values and are willing to do their homework to find out which brands adhere to green principles.

Adding Net Zero requirements has also led to an interest and growth in sustainable business practices. It’s a great brand message to promote - even if you can't go fully 'green', there are many small steps you can take to improve your eco-friendly credentials.

What is a Sustainable Business?

Sustainable business is also known as ‘green business’. It should have a minimal negative impact on the environment, community, society or economy.

A business should aim to:

1. Incorporate principles of sustainability into all of its business decisions.
2. Supply environmentally-friendly products or services to replace demand for non-green products and/or services.
3. Be greener than your competitors and traditional business competition.
4. Commit to environmental principles in its operations.

Four Ways To Make Your Business Greener

The main way to start becoming more sustainable is to remember the adage ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’. If we all start making better use of the resources we have, waste levels and landfill will decrease and lots of energy will be saved.

1. Reduce & Recycle Waste

Think about how to cut waste in your office and business practices. This applies to the production of your product as well as the day-to-day running of your office.

• If possible, go paperless. This is much easier to achieve in our digital age. If you can’t go completely paperless, try to use recycled paper and make sure all paper waste goes into a recycling bag or bin.
• Try to use fewer office supplies and source items such as refillable pens and recycled products to reduce waste.
• Explore ways to decrease use of energy and raw materials in your production process.
• Promote recycling & environmental initiatives to employees – let them know you aim to cut waste and get them involved.
• Conduct a waste review/audit to see where you can improve.
  

2. Check your Supply Chain

If your business is aiming to be more sustainable, don’t forget to check not only your own business practices, but also those in your supply chain. A green business should not be associated with a company that has no concern for the environment.

When you audit your own business, it’s also prudent to audit your suppliers. If their standards aren’t up to scratch, talk to them about how they can improve them. If they can't meet your standards, move to a new supplier that matches your ethics.

Ask them about their sustainability policies.

• What are they and do they adhere to them?
• Do they pay their staff fairly?
• Do they have ethical employment practices? (No child labour, good working conditions etc).

Be informed about your suppliers & partners before you promote yourself as a sustainable business. Otherwise, your brand could suffer from accusations of greenwashing if it’s not as green as your brand message implies.

3. Support an Eco Charity

Think about teaming up with an environmental, green, sustainable charity. This is the perfect way to help the environment and let people know that your brand cares about it.

Run events and projects and/or donate a percentage of your profits to help raise funds for your chosen charity. Let your customers know that you fully support the cause - it will give your brand green credentials a huge boost and create a positive message.

A branded bag is the ideal promotional product to spread the word about charity collaborations. Use it to encourage people to use less single-use plastic or to let them know how they can support the charity.

See Industry Advice for Charities

4. Use Eco-Friendly Promotional Products

Source promotional items that leave minimal waste and/or are made from recycled or recyclable materials.

Many items, such as key-rings, calendars, disposable pens and leaflets, are often thrown away, ending up in landfill. So, pick a reusable product that has a practical purpose and won't be discarded.

Select a promo product that they will want to reuse. A product like a branded reusable bag can be made from recycled or sustainable materials, reused many times then recycled after use.

If designed well, nobody will want to throw it away! People reuse bags for day-to-day activities such as shopping, as well as for carrying gym/sports gear or supplies for a day trip.

• Promotional Bags will reduce the number of single-use plastic bags used in any retail business, with the bonus of promoting your brand.
• They can also be used in place of boxes to deliver takeaway food, groceries and other supplies. Heavy Duty Bags are strong and durable, last for years, minimising the need for cardboard and plastic.
• For the hospitality sector, this might mean switching to reusable hotel newspaper bags. Give your branded bag a job to do, and it will work hard to promote your brand and provide a cost-effective marketing tool.

Read The Story of Three Little Bags: Reusable Grocery Bags vs Plastic Bags

FURTHER READING

We hope that you've found this blog useful and informative. We looked at just 4 ways to improve your brand's sustainability, but if you'd like more ideas, check out the following articles:

6 Effective Ways to Build a Sustainable Business

7 Smart Ways to Make Your Business Environmentally-Friendly

10 Ways to Green Your Business and Save Money Make Your Business More Sustainable