Sustainability is more integral to startup growth than you think, and now is the time to realign your priorities for a future-proof business strategy.

Why is sustainability so integral to a future-proof business strategy? Keep reading as we explore what sustainability does for your business and how to implement more sustainable practices for your flourishing startup.

What does sustainability do for your brand?

Many startups believe business growth eclipses all other focus when establishing their brands. But, neglecting sustainability could hinder your potential. Here are some of the ways sustainability impacts business growth:

Attracting customers: clients and customers are more influenced than ever by eco-friendly choices and sustainability. By making your brand more sustainable, you can ensure your customer base includes planet-first thinkers who wouldn’t consider a non-sustainable choice.

Resource efficiency: when your business wastes resources, it impacts operation costs. By reviewing the sustainability of your daily business practices, you can spot inefficiencies relating to resources and ‘trim the fat’ to improve operation costs. For instance, you might spot paper systems that could be digitised to reduce paper waste and stationery costs.

Preserving the planet: Without a sustainable business plan, your business doesn’t have much of a future. Your business's longevity is contingent upon the longevity of our planet and the availability of resources to create your products and continue business operations. So, it’s in your best interest to prioritise sustainability and improve your brand's longevity!

These are good reasons to start considering sustainability, even if you’re still in startup mode. But how is sustainability achieved on a small scale?

How to implement more sustainability for your startup

Sustainable practices can be achieved on a smaller scale and don’t have to come at your expense. Sustainable practices can help you cut costs. Here’s how to implement sustainability for your startup in a manageable way.

Choosing Sustainable Suppliers

A sustainable supplier provides your business with the same products, only using renewable materials and sustainable production and manufacturing processes. Reviewing your stationery, office supplies, and purchasing decisions will help you evaluate areas with the potential for more sustainable switches. Here are some ideal sustainable choices to make:

• Avoiding bottled water: While it’s important to ensure your employees are hydrated with fresh and pure water at work, bottled water contributes to plastic waste. Instead, you should consider choosing suppliers with sustainable practices and materials, such as canned or boxed water.
• Choosing local suppliers: When it’s pastry or cake day in the office, consider establishing a relationship with a local supplier. They can offer you a good deal for regular business, and you can choose a sustainable brand. Lifting up local businesses is good for the economy and means supporting those making sustainable business choices.

With small changes like these, you can supply your employees with the food, water, and supplies they need for daily operations while reducing the harm it does to our planet.

Opting For Digitisation

Paper waste can be costly and enormous in an office space, so digitisation is in your best interest. As a startup, you can establish digital systems from the get-go. Skip the paper steps and lean towards a more sustainable and cost-effective system. By digitising your workspace, you can offer more flexible remote and hybrid work options, allowing your employees a more convenient work scheme.

Summary

Sustainability isn’t an investment. It simply means making better choices for your startup that reduce waste. By making sustainable choices for your startup, you can open up your client base to include sustainability-first minds. Consider where you can make small changes in your startup that lead to big changes for the future of our planet.