11 Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Embrace Sustainability

Your customers, employees and community - all your stakeholders - want businesses to be better stewards in the world. Here are 11 conscientious leaders telling you their “why” for embracing sustainability.

The demand for sustainable practices within businesses has seen intense growth in the last few years. From sourcing materials to production quantities and packaging, sustainability takes many forms. As more companies pledge efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, you may find you are unsure how to incorporate such policies in your own organization or if it’s worth pursuing.

Why should you consider embracing the sustainability movement? What benefits will you see if you do? Below, eleven thought leaders answer why businesses should embrace sustainable practices.

It’s the Right Thing to Do

Businesses should prioritize sustainability simply because it's the right thing to do for the long term health of the planet. Most natural resources that companies use every day aren’t renewable and will eventually become depleted if businesses don’t focus on their impact on the local environment. Companies should look into industrial recycling as it can have a big impact on the preservation of resources and the reduction of carbon emissions.

- Jonathan Cohen, Generated Materials Recovery

Businesses Generate More Impact

At the end of the day, we all live on the same planet and are more or less in this together. Businesses have an even bigger social responsibility than the lone person because they can generate more impact on the changing world with the resources they have. It seems irresponsible and careless if they do not take action towards that. I wouldn't want to work for a company like that.

- Snezhina Piskova, Oliver Wicks

Good Attracts Good

Attracting top talent starts with running a company that they would be proud to work for. Potential employees want to work for companies that have a clear vision on how they will contribute to sustainability efforts. Companies that do good will attract people that will do the same. 

- Kimberly Kriewald, AVANA Capital

Consumers Want to See the Initiative

From a strictly economic perspective, sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices can sometimes fall under what economists call externalities. I think we're at the point that many businesses can exercise sustainable practices, not just because it may be the moral thing to do, but because it's the smart thing to do. Many people want to see the companies they buy from take an initiative and show that they care about the environment, even if it means making a financial sacrifice. In this case, you're talking about a win all the way around: people feel better buying from you, you get to make a profit, and the planet does better (or is less harmed) by your company compared to other businesses in your space.

- Jake Rheude, Red Stag Fulfillment

Businesses Are Responsible

Sustainability issues are becoming more and more popular among the rising generation. People hold businesses responsible for improving both societal and environmental conditions and will refuse to give companies business if they don’t feel they are doing their part in sustainability efforts. Running a sustainable business will meet the growing expectation for businesses to leave the world better than they found it. 

- Megan Chiamos, 365 Cannabis 

A New Demographic of Customers

While running a sustainable business can add an extra expense to your bottom line, it can also grow your revenue by bringing onboard new customers who care about the environment. Secondly, no business is a business without its workforce, and doing what's morally right can pay dividends when it comes to team morale and employee satisfaction. Over the long term, sustainability can improve brand image and set a business up to increase its brand value across time.

- Ahmed Mir, Nature and Bloom

Creating Good by Doing Good

Businesses aren't just about profit… or at least they shouldn't be in our day and age. Businesses should focus on creating good by doing good. Having sustainable practices are good for the businesses' longevity, hence the name sustainable, and their core goal of doing good.

- Layton Cox, Marketing Consultant

It's an Investment

Businesses account for some of the highest rates of waste and pollution around the world. If sustainability became a key focus and driver for businesses, not only would the world become healthier, but businesses will see reductions in their energy consumption, a reduction in waste and an increased positive perception from key stakeholders. Sustainability is an investment with great social and profitable returns. 

- Emily Bosak, Nonprofit SEO Company

It Speaks Volumes About Your Company's Values

Companies that have gone paperless or help fund environmental initiatives are perceived better by their customers than those that completely disregard the environment. As we all know, every bit helps and even a small initiative such as eliminating paper completely goes a long way in helping our planet become greener in the long run.

- Mikkel Andreassen, Dixa

It Supports Your Branding as a Business and Employer

Among the reasons why businesses should care about sustainability is your branding as a business and as an employer, which leads to more significant profits. Top employees care about more than an excellent salary and benefits. When you show care for sustainability, you're becoming a more attractive employer. Being able to attract and retain top talent is one of the staples of your business's long-term growth. Just as your employees, your customers care about sustainability. Showing that you care for the planet and legacy will help elevate your brand and create a long-lasting relationship with customers who are conscious about green living.

- Aleksandra Arsic, CapitalCounselor

You Need to Be Able to Sustain What You Scale

Sustainability is so important to businesses as you need to be able to sustain what you scale. If you scale, but you can't keep quality and the customer experience the same - you risk eventually failing at scale. Put in processes, put in guidelines and put in a written way to scale. To sustain, you have to be able to bring in consistent revenue. We found that our business grows when we bring on clients that we can help and bill monthly - not one off's. We know the money is coming in and the client is happy because they get more video content. The world used to just buy one thing - now consumers want to buy from a brand over and over again. Give them a way to!

- Trevor Rappleye, CorporateFilming

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