It is the duty of every entrepreneur today to consider how their business affects the environment. It’s no secret that the world is in a mess thanks to pollution and global warming, and businesses large and small have to take green measures to prevent further damage.

Greener measures include reducing waste (including paper), saving energy (no more leaving the lights on), and for the purposes of this article, taking an eco-friendly approach with the supply chain. Not only are these measures good for the environment, but they are also good for business. Image is everything, and any business neglecting their duties to care for the environment are going to be subject to customer, employee, and media outcry.

Should you run a business then, make every effort to go green, for both environmental and business reasons. And consider your supply chain. Taking the example of these green supply chains, there are a number of steps you can take to achieve an eco-friendly approach.

1. Consider the suppliers you use, and where possible, opt for local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint on the road. This way, you are both supporting small businesses, and taking a step towards protecting the environment.
2. Only use those suppliers with green credentials. Do they use sustainable materials? Do they recycle? Do they have green policies in place? Check their website or ask them directly, and switch suppliers if they seem to be operating in any way unethically.
3. Shorten the distances your business fleet takes. Use a sat-nav to plan your supply routes, minimizing time on the road to both save money on fuel and to reduce pollutants into the atmosphere.
4. Adapt your business fleet to lower your emissions. Utilise the services of truck body builders and fit your vehicles with fuel-efficient solar technology. Use vehicles with smaller engines, as this will reduce CO2 emissions. Fit vehicles with fuel-efficient tyres. And use advances in technology, such as eco-mode cruise control, to both protect the earth and improve fuel economy.
5. Ship multiple products together when you have customers in close proximity or on one shipment route. This is more efficient than sending your fleet out on several trips, saving your business time, money, and fuel.
6. Minimize the packaging you use, and replace anything that isn’t biodegradable with eco-friendly packaging. This way, you will reduce waste, and show your customers how environmentally responsible you are.
7. Research green practices. Changes are being made all the time, and there will be green ideas that we haven’t covered in this article. Visit websites such as EPA.gov for more advice on how to green your supply chain, and take note of new laws and regulations to ensure your business is in compliance with them.

So, how green is your supply chain? Are you already taking the steps mentioned in this article or are there any changes that need to be made? The onus is on you, so do what is necessary, because as we alluded to earlier, not only will you be doing your bit to save the environment, but you will also be taking measures to save your business too.