Sustainability Solutions to Help Your Small Business

The Important Role that Small Businesses Play in Sustainability

As a small business, your role in the world might not always feel big. Your doors are open to any local customers walking by, you provide them with your goods or services, and that’s that. However, that is far from the truth, especially when it comes to sustainability. According to Forbes, 99.9% of businesses across the US are considered small businesses, and nearly half of the US workforce are employed at one of these businesses. Each and every small business makes up that percentage, meaning that they are all an important part of the US. Now, we are at the point of a crossroads: imagine if every single small business either said, “Who cares about the environment?” Or if those same businesses said, “What can we do to help?” That would be 99.9% of the country.

We are the Martinez Team, a small business specializing in commercial real estate in South Florida. As part of that 99.9%, our goal is to be a part of the solution and to convince you to do the same. Sustainability isn’t just a fad or a current buzzword, it’s a way of making a difference.

So, how can your business implement helpful sustainability solutions?

8 Great Ways for a Business to be More Sustainable

If you aren’t sure where to begin with making your business more sustainable, these tips will provide you with a great starting point. 

1. RRR – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce the amount of waste you create, reuse items as much as you can, and recycle anything that can no longer be reused.

2. Use Sustainable Products in the Workplace

Consider how many different products that your business uses in the workplace. From paper towels to printer paper, try to use as many sustainable products as possible – it all adds up!

3. Buy Sustainable Source Materials

If your business makes and sells products, consider utilizing sustainability from the start. Use eco-friendly source materials for the products that you make and sell.

4. Sustainable Packaging Materials

You probably notice that the eco-friendly products you buy are also shipped in eco-friendly packaging. Package your products in biodegradable packaging that are good for the environment.

5. Public Transportation and Remote Working

Offering work-from-home options and incentivizing employees to use public transportation are two excellent ways for your business to treat both their employees and the environment!

6. Energy-Efficient Workplace

Conserving energy is so important for sustainability, and small businesses can help by using LED lights, solar energy, natural light sources, and energy-efficient office and kitchen appliances.

7. Going Paperless

Many small businesses have already made the switch, but reducing paperwork and offering paperless billing, paystubs, and various communications will help to drastically reduce your carbon footprint.

8. Look for Environmental Initiatives

The government offers many green initiatives to encourage small businesses to become eco-friendly, and you can even earn green certifications to legitimize yourself as a sustainable business.

Sustainability is a Continuous Practice

Technology is constantly evolving and new ideas are being brought to light faster than ever before. We encourage you to continue to research ideas, methodologies, initiatives, certifications, and other methods of making your small business more sustainable. It is important to remember that sustainability is a continuous practice and it must be considered every day. Even starting with just one or two of these suggestions will make a big difference in the long-run, reducing your business’s carbon footprint and making a positive impact on the environment. 

Need a Home for Your Small Business?

One of the most important parts of owning a business is having a home for it. This allows you to establish yourself at a specific address and provide a local community with your goods or services. And now that you have some ideas about sustainability, you can find a property that will accommodate the needs of those solutions.

As South Florida commercial real estate experts, we are a small business helping other small businesses to find the perfect commercial property for their needs!

Contact the Martinez Team or call us at (954) 394-7078. Our team is here to help!