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Showing your green credentials when dealing with n...

Showing your green credentials when dealing with natural resources

There’s a reason why natural resources have become such a commodity — they’re valuable, they can be used for anything and everything, and if you’ve got them, then you there is the potential to build a profitable long-term business. But of course, the thing about natural resources is that they’re not unlimited, at least not without careful management. We’re already beginning to see the effects of rampant resource-selling, and this means that it’s more important than ever to handle resources with greater care. The duty to handle natural resources with care isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for business — for starters, you’ll have a longer run in business if what you’re selling will always be available. But also, customers are beginning to express their disdain for companies who don’t have environmental sustainable at the heart of what they do.

To show the world that you’ve got earth-friendly sentiments running through your veins, take a look at incorporating the following practices into your business model.

Long-Term Effects

It’s all good and well operating with a mindset that takes care of the ‘here and now,’ but it’s also a good idea to think of the long-term effects of your actions. Your green credentials won’t just be established by the practices for your current operations, but the consequences of any new practices you set up. Before setting up a new aspect of your business, make sure you’re researching what the long-term effects of the operation will be. If it’s not earth-friendly, then look at modifying it, and keep your company green.

Keep it Sustainable

Natural resources are precious. We shouldn’t just take all that we can get, without a consideration for future generations or the health of the environment. The good news is that it’s nearly always possible (except in the case of oil and gas) to take steps to keep a business sustainable, even if it does require the extraction of natural resources as a core part of its business model. If you’re in the timber industry, for example, then a commitment to woodland management will ensure that you’re actively contributing to the health of the forest, rather than just cutting down the trees. It’s when a business model is unsustainable that problems arise — and when the public begins to turn their back on the company.

From A to B

It’s worth remembering that your core operations aren’t the only aspect of your business. It’s what you “do,” but there’s a whole world around what you do, such as transporting your goods. When it comes to things like this, it’s important that you’re taking the same level of care to ensure that your practices are green, even if it’s not actually your company that’s doing it. For example, you can check the eco-friendly policies of the transport companies that you’re using. It’s up to you to ensure that your product has a minimal carbon footprint from the beginning of the journey to the customer’s door.

Green Initiatives

It’s always a good to initiate eco-friendly practices into a business in a broad way, too. For example, how is your company getting its energy? How are the workers getting to and from work? If you’re lacking in the eco-friendly area in these departments, then take a look at making a few changes. Setting up bike racks, changing energy supplier, and setting up a vegetable garden are all excellent ways to be even greener at work. You may also want to open up the space for education and nature days, which will allow the public to see all the good things you’re doing at your business, as well as the chance to learn about how they can move to a greener lifestyle.

Tweak and Improve

Becoming a green-focused company isn’t just a matter of making some adjustments, and then sitting back and admiring your efforts. There are new policies, guidelines, and information coming out all the time, and they should impact how your company functions. Make a commitment to reviewing your existing practices and make any modifications as and when they’re needed. You’ll find that once you have a green base for your business, it’s easier to make subtle changes — over time, you’ll find that a concern for the earth touches everything about your business.

Conclusion

Everyone – companies and individuals – have a duty to do their bit to protect the earth, but there’s a greater responsibility for the companies who use natural resources as a core part of their business model to do more.



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