If you’re right at the beginning of your small business sustainability journey, it can be tough to know where to start. I’ve been working in the sustainable business space for a good few years now, so here are my top sustainability tips for small businesses.

 

Sustainability Isn’t Just About “The Environment”

Before we start, it’s worth pointing out that sustainability isn’t just about caring for the environment or “being green”. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals state that sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The broader meaning of sustainability incorporates environmental, social, economic and ethical practices. This sounds complicated, but actually, by broadening what the term means, we’re also broadening our ability to make a positive difference.

 

What Do You Care About?

I’ve found that one of the best ways to build sustainable habits that stick within your business is to work out what you really care about.

Here’s a journal prompt, or just something to think about:

“What kind of world do you want to live in?”

Or, if you struggle with that one, how about “What really makes you angry about the world we live in today?”

The answers to these questions will help you come to a conclusion about the kind of impact you want to make on the world with your business.

 

My Top 3 Business Sustainability Tips for small businesses

Now you’ve worked out what really matters to you, here are my favourite ways to channel your passion into motivation and action:

1. Make Charitable Donations

This is perhaps the simplest way to make a difference using your business. Once you know what you’d like to change in the world, find organisations that help with the issues you’re passionate about.

You can either donate a set amount of money every month, or commit to donation a proportion of your sales to your chosen charity or charities.

The great thing about this one is that you can start really small and build up as your business grows, either donating more to one charity or splitting your “donations pot” between several causes.

The bonus of this tip is that charitable donations are tax deductible so make sure you make the donations through your business.

 

2. Align Your Purchases With Your Values

This one is a little more time consuming but still pretty easy once you get into the habit and it feels so much better when you know that the businesses you buy from as a company are aligned with what you believe in.

Again, start small, pick an area you’d like to address like packaging, stationery or your bank, then build up.

Speaking of banks, did you know that many banks still invest your hard-earned money into fossil fuels? If this is something you’re fundamentally against, take a look at Bank.Green, a platform that tells you how ethical your bank is.

 

3. Use your Voice

I call this one “leading by inspiration”. By sharing your passions, the changes you’re making in your business and your sustainability journey with your customers, suppliers and audience, you’re creating a ripple effect that will help others reconsider

Now, there’s a fine line between taking to social media to rant about the injustice of it all on a daily basis, and showing people the steps you’re taking which might help inspire them. Tone is really important here and nobody wants to feel like they’re being judged just because they’ve not worked out what they’re passionate about.

But done the right way, you can make a huge positive impact on the world around you by simply sharing what you’re doing.

 

Remember: You Don’t Have To Do Everything

Before I go, I want to make sure you hear this one loud and clear: you don’t have to do everything all in one go! Sustainability has to be, well, sustainable for you, and if you try to make too many changes too quickly it’s likely you’ll lose focus and motivation. So start small, and build from there.

 

About The Author

Katie Skelton is the founder of LIttle Green Duck. Katie is a business strategist & consultant, who helps impact-led and sustainability-focused business owners to manage their teams and projects, get clear on their goals and ultimately amplify their impact.

Katie lives in the New Forest in Hampshire with her husband and two children, lists “eating crisps” as one of her main hobbies and is most at peace watching a sunset (or sunrise, if she’s up in time) over the sea.

 

You can find out more about Katie on the Little Green Duck website or by connecting with her on LinkedIn.

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