Thinking about starting a new venture in 2022? You’re not alone! More people are setting up on their own to double down on their passion or to support themselves financially. While the entrepreneurial spirit is a force to be reckoned with, sustainability remains a key focus for individuals and businesses alike.
The world is a different place since the onset of the pandemic. Changes in consumer behaviour and a sharp rise in the cost of living have made people more cautious with their purchases, so your offering needs to tick all the boxes, including sustainability.
Whatever you’re planning, don’t burden yourself with a debt to the planet. With the help of Adam Middleton, Marketing Manager for Packaging Supplies Ltd, a plastic-free and carbon-neutral packaging supplier and custom packaging service, delivering sustainable, plastic-free packaging materials, shipping boxes, and fully customised packaging, we’ve pulled together these pointers on starting an eco-friendly endeavour and make your start-up a super-sustainable success.
Consider Your Carbon Footprint
Every business and individual has a carbon footprint, but you might be wondering exactly what that carbon footprint is. The Nature Conservancy’s definition of a carbon footprint is “the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) generated by our actions”.
This encompasses all of the activities you’re likely to undertake when working on your business, so be sure to use climate-conscious suppliers or certified carbon neutral companies to reduce your total carbon emissions.
Use Sustainable Packaging
Whether it’s recycled, recyclable, compostable or biodegradable, using eco-friendly packaging is a great way to minimise waste and give your customers a sustainable experience.
Generally speaking, cardboard and paper-based packaging is much more widely used than non-renewable packaging materials made from plastic for good reason — it’s far better for the planet.
It’s satisfying to know your packaging isn’t contributing to landfill waste or plastic pollution, but that doesn’t mean your packaging needs to be boring. Some customisable packaging can be printed using water or even vegetable-based inks that’ll make your packaging pop without the use of toxic chemicals.
Design Products That Last
There’s nothing more frustrating than receiving a product that ceases to function after only a few uses, or even worse, never fulfils its intended purpose. If your products can’t stand the test of time, it won’t be long before customers cotton on and start returning your goods or making complaints.
You can stand out from the crowd with a high-quality offering by investing time and resources in the right place. Research and develop your product to find out what will put yours at the top of the pile.
Experimenting with different ingredients, materials or production processes will greatly enhance your customers’ experience, but it’s also a sustainable route since durable products and efficient services are much better for the environment.
Close The Loop
When your products reach the end of their life, what happens to them? If you’re selling edible or easily disposable products, you don’t have much to worry about (besides the packaging used to ship your merchandise). For anything else, it’s crucial to consider what your customers should do with your products when they’re ready for disposal.
Be sure to provide adequate advice for your customers on the most responsible way to dispose of your goods. This could be instructions on how to compost packaging materials at home or how to dismantle your product to recycle specific parts and put the rest in general waste if they’re non-recyclable. Customers will appreciate your forethought and it shows you really care about the planet.
Don’t Compromise Your Values
The most important aspect of starting an eco-friendly business is staying true to your mission. If you go back on your word, your company’s credibility may be marked indelibly. To avoid tripping yourself up, set realistic standards for your products and services and avoid greenwashing at all costs. Loyal customers won’t hold it against you if you falter in your journey. In this case, do what’s necessary to rectify the situation to win back the hearts and minds of your customer base.
The Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about starting something new — whether it’s a simple side-gig or a fully-fledged business — make sustainability a priority. By putting the planet first, you’ll send a powerful message to potential customers looking for eco-friendly products, winning their business in the process.