Green companies do exist, but business activities are still a major contributor to global pollution. The 20 most polluting companies in the world alone have generated nearly 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide since the 1960s.
If you’re a business owner, you definitely don’t want to find yourself in this category, and you should aim to become a green company.
That’s why we’ve got some tips for you on how to become a more eco-friendly company. As an extra, for inspiration, you will get examples of Canadian companies that have also implemented ecological changes to become greener companies.
Here you will discover 5 tips to become a green company.
Tip #1 to become a green company: Reduce your waste production
There are different ways to reduce your waste production as a business.
You can start by no longer offering disposable coffee cups and encouraging your employees (or offering them some!) to bring their reusable cups. You can also get compost bins for compostable waste and educate your employees about recycling.
You can also decrease your paper usage by using digital tools. It can be a great start to become a green company.
Tip #2 to become a green company: Allow remote work
More and more people enjoy working from home from time to time. Giving your employees the possibility to work remotely gives them more autonomy, but also reduces the use of cars and other methods of transportation, which reduce the emission of CO2!
This strategy could even allow you to consume less energy in the office, use less space and become an even greener business.
Tip #3 to become a green company: Educate your employees
The path to a greener planet begins with small daily actions. This is why it is important to raise awareness among your employees by offering them training on eco-responsibility, for example.
Tip #4 to become a greener company: Choose eco-responsible suppliers
Becoming a greener business starts with building strategic partnerships. The choice of your suppliers is very important. Take the time to choose the right partners and negotiate the greenest possible contracts.
Tip #5 (and nonetheless): Become carbon neutral
Obviously, we can’t give you tips on how to become a green company without suggesting that you become carbon neutral! With our online tool, you can calculate your company’s ecological footprint and even compensate for it.
Find out how to become carbon neutral.
Bonus: Examples of green changes by local businesses
To inspire you, here are some Canadian companies that have implemented changes within their organization to reduce their ecological footprint and become greener companies.
- Cook It, a meal box subscription company, is currently working on an eco-friendly project to deliver their meals and food in reusable bags and containers.
- Matt & Nat, a vegan handbags and accessories company, implemented in 2007 a more eco-friendly manufacturing process. All their accessories are made of 100% recycled plastic bottles.
- The company Hoaka Swimwear, created in 2020 an eco-friendly line of swimsuits made from recycled plastic bottles.
- Chocolats Favoris, a Quebec company, has started a transformation of its supply chain by choosing sustainably sourced cocoa. The latter makes it possible, among other things, to reduce deforestation and promote ecological practices.
There are also more and more companies and organizations that have decided to become carbon neutral, such as Danse K par K, TEC-Canada, Distribution Livrapide and many others.
Did you know that you can caculate your ecological footprint precisely and for free? Do the math now! Calculate my carbon footprint.