More and more, everyday consumers are expecting for companies to make their operations more eco-friendly. As powerful interest groups and elected officials have failed to react to the immediacy of the climate crisis, it’s increasingly incumbent upon the private sector to be more environmentally conscious. Here are five ways that your company can operate more sustainably.

1. Use Renewable Energy

2. Reduce Water Waste

You can conserve water by installing low-metering systems in your business facility. Faucets, toilets, and other fixtures can all use considerably less water with control mechanisms that prevent unnecessary waste. In addition to making your operations more environmentally friendly, you’ll also save money on your water and sewer bill every month.

3. Embrace Green Transportation

If any part of your business requires the use of company vehicles, you should get on board with eco-friendly transportation methods. Hybrid or electric vehicles can give your staff a fuel efficient or a fuel free way to get from point A to point B. While electric trucks and vans aren’t being mass produced yet, they’re not far off. Leave some room in your operating budget over the next several years to make the upgrade.

4. Reduce Waste Production

Anything that you can do to reduce the amount of waste that you produce will have a positive impact on the environment. Reuse or recycle items to the extent that you can. To ensure correct disposal of recyclable items, make an effort to distribute recycling bins in convenient places throughout your facility so personnel will be less likely to throw away recyclables with other garbage. If you produce any biodegradable waste, make sure that it is isolated from other waste and composted. Any type of hazardous waste such as machinery oils or batteries needs to be disposed of properly so as not to be commingled with other waste. Also, you should use a compactor or a baler to produce a smaller volume of waste and reduce the number of waste pickups that your facility needs.

5. Use Sustainably Sourced Products and Materials

The items that you use in your daily activities should be sourced from recycled or environmentally friendly materials. If you create any products as a part of your operations, make every possible effort to get materials in a way that has a minimal impact to the environment. For example, if you need plastics as a part of packaging, use plastics that were previously ocean-bound.

Collectively, businesses can make a difference in addressing the climate crisis. Your customers will appreciate knowing that your business is doing everything reasonably possible to operate sustainably. Your efforts can give you a substantive edge over your competitors and help you establish your company as a leader in its field.

Using renewable power, being smart about waste, and using recyclable materials are among the most helpful ways to be more eco-friendly. Ultimately, what you do can help set a new standard for sustainability in your industry.