The environmental impact of an industry can feel overwhelming, especially to an entrepreneur who wants to carve out a space for themselves in the world of e-commerce, but is conflicted by the ethical dilemmas that plague a society driven by reckless consumerism. As the owner of a young business, you may have grand ideas, but you need a realistic approach to succeed. Here are some tips for running a successful, eco-friendly business.

Sell Sustainable Products

If you market your business as eco-friendly, then you should be selling a sustainably produced product on your ecommerce website. This is easier said than done, especially if you’re running a small business, because the operational cost of producing an eco-friendly item may be significantly higher than what you can afford. However, the modern consumer wants merchandise that reflects certain values, including but not limited to:

• Sustainability

• Reduced waste

• Longevity

• Organically made

• Chemical-free

If you share these same values, but your production just isn’t quite there, it’s important to be honest with your customers and let them know the direction you want to take your company. If they like what you do, they’ll help you get there.

Reduce Packaging

One of the toughest parts of running an e-commerce business is the excessive amount of packaging required to house and deliver your products. Nobody likes to receive boxes within boxes stuffed with paper and bubble wrap, but without it all, you run the risk of losing your orders to thieves who recognize the branding. Plus, what happens to all that paper and cardboard once your product is unboxed?

While you may think recycling is the solution, the truth is a lot of energy is used for the process, and there is often too much recyclable material that ends up in the landfill anyway due to process limitations and limited person-hours. The best way to combat this environmental travesty is to focus on sustainable packaging solutions.

Use Local Suppliers

One of the benefits of business ownership is the ability to contribute to your community and your local economy. By using local suppliers and supporting other businesses, you’re able to build the relationships necessary to grow your company, and you’re also reducing the distance your materials travel to get to you. While it may be the more expensive option, think about how many carbon emissions you’re saving while providing your customer with a great quality product in a shorter amount of time.

Market Your Company’s Ethical Values

You may be the most ethical and eco-friendly company in your town, but that hardly matters unless your target audience knows what you’re up to. Don’t be modest in your branding and marketing efforts. Let the world know what you do, how you do it and how you’re working to do it better each day as technology advances. Not only does transparency tell your environmentally conscious customer where to find you, but it also connects you to like-minded industry leaders that want to work alongside you to build a better future.

Recycle the Company E-waste

It stands to reason that running your e-commerce store from home is significantly more eco-friendly than renting a storefront on a commercial property. While that may be true, there are still many elements of your operation that contribute to environmental destruction. For example, your phones, tablets and laptops all produce e-waste when you finish with them. Unless you properly recycle unwanted electronics, they end up in landfills or worse, developing nations where children risk their health to dismantle and burn these products. Make sure to do the necessary research and recycle your e-waste appropriately every time you make upgrades to further your business.

Caring about the environment is good for business as well as the planet. By implementing these strategies, you can feel good about your contribution to society while building your own future in the process. As ideas, attitudes and technologies advance, take note of what you can do better and adjust your plans accordingly.