With climate change and the fragile state of the environment making so many recent headlines, it’s probably not surprising to learn that it can be very beneficial for your business to support sustainability. To positively impact both your bottom line and the environment, going green can be a smart move. From attracting more customers to saving on your taxes, here are just a few ways you can benefit from running your company in an eco-conscious manner.

Customers Seek Out Sustainable Products and Practices

Today’s consumers have committed to purchasing sustainable products and dealing with eco-positive businesses in a big way. Study after study shows that customers are becoming increasingly aware of how their purchases may negatively impact the environment. As a result, they are choosing to spend money on items that are perceived as earth-friendly, even when those items cost more than their traditional counterparts. If you offer sustainable products, your small business sales can benefit substantially from this spending pattern.

It's also notable that consumers often evaluate not just the products they purchase, but also the practices of the businesses selling them. Many companies recognize this and tout their eco-friendliness through their marketing. Certifications from organizations like the Natural Products Association, American Consumer Council, and the Rainforest Alliance can be powerful tools when it comes to alerting consumers that your company supports sustainability. Being easily identifiable as an environmentally-friendly company can drive more business through your doors and increase sales.

Employees Appreciate Working for a Company With Good Values

In the same way that consumers want to support an eco-friendly business, so, too, do employees want to know they are a part of an organization that is responsible and has good values. Because happy employees tend to be productive employees, this can be another way that going green may have a positive impact on your business.

For starters, employees often say they feel a sense of pride when they work for a company that is known for selling sustainable goods and engaging in climate-friendly practices. Many workers may also view your commitment to the environment as a sign of your caring about them; after all, looking after the well-being of the planet is beneficial to everyone who lives on it, your employees included. Finally, employees frequently want to feel that their values are shared by the company they work for, so the sustainability of your organization can reflect the mutual care you have for the environment. All of this means that your green practices may motivate your employees to work harder at boosting profits.

Agencies Provide Financial Benefits for Businesses That Go Green

In addition to boosting sales and productivity, going green can add to your bottom line in other ways. The federal government offers perks such as tax credits, deductions, and depreciation bonuses for companies that engage in green practices such as installing energy-efficient equipment, switching to alternative-fuel vehicles, and participating in material and equipment recycling programs.

Both governmental and private agencies have grants and subsidies available to help you with everything from revamping your building’s lighting to purchasing sustainable inventory. Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to overhaul your company’s practices so they’re more eco-friendly, you may be eligible for one or more of these programs. If you can save money on going green, that’s more capital you can put into growing your business and boosting your sales.

Whether it’s to increase sales by offering sustainable products, to appeal to consumers who support companies with green practices, or to attract a proud and dedicated workforce that is motivated to be more productive, working to make your business more eco-conscious can have many benefits. It can even add money to your bottom line via the financial perks that are available to companies that engage in environmentally-friendly practices. For these reasons and more, running a sustainable organization can be good for both your business and the planet.