When I started Adorn Cosmetics, I was committed to producing a cosmetics and skincare brand that closely aligned with my values of kindness to people, animals, and the planet. I knew my passion for quality, cruelty-free, circular beauty products would push me through the inevitable hard times that lay ahead. If I didn’t truly believe in what I was doing, then how was I going to weather the ups and downs of owning my own business?
I sought a much-needed shift in the way businesses sourced, produced, and disposed of cosmetics in an otherwise wasteful beauty industry, however access to cost-effective processes was limited. Much of what I knew was possible, such as recycling, sustainable packaging, or small batch production, was not available or was cost-prohibitive to small businesses. It took over a decade for some of this vision to finally manifest.
As the world became more conscious of the impact of modern life on the planet, businesses were increasingly seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint. While many businesses see environmental responsibility as a moral obligation, it is also important to consider the financial benefits of adopting environmentally friendly business practices.
Integrating cost-saving processes that support the planet
One of the most effective ways businesses can reduce their environmental impact is by improving energy efficiency. Energy-efficient practices not only help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they can also save businesses money on their energy bills. For example, upgrading to energy-efficient lighting systems or investing in energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce energy consumption and save businesses money in the long term. This is easily implemented at company cultural level. Buy-in from staff about how they use company resources from lighting, heating and cooling, kitchen and bathroom products and behaviours is something that each business can easily control.
Reducing waste is key to saving money while improving environmental impact. One way to reduce waste is by implementing a recycling program. Recycling not only diverts waste from landfills, but it can also help businesses save money on waste disposal fees and an increase in customer loyalty through product satisfaction.
Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but businesses can help reduce their impact by making transportation more sustainable. Use delivery providers that offset carbon emissions or are carbon neutral. New programs now exist for service providers to be more responsible in this area without passing additional fees on to small businesses.
This feeds into the supply chain. This can include using suppliers who prioritise environmentally friendly practices and sourcing local materials to reduce transportation costs. Additionally, businesses can reduce their environmental impact and save money by using recycled or sustainable packaging materials.
We have found that some of the simplest ideas work the best. Savings can be made by storing things like delivery boxes, palettes and buckets that hold our raw ingredients. After use, we list them on marketplaces like Facebook or Airtasker for people to take and recycle for other uses. It saves the cost of filling up a bin, and those items are kept out of landfill.
Finally, businesses can save money by taking advantage of tax incentives for environmentally friendly practices. Governments around the world offer tax incentives for businesses that adopt sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy sources or investing in energy-efficient equipment. By taking advantage of these incentives, businesses can reduce their tax burden while improving their environmental impact.
Whether is tweaking existing processes or introducing new initiatives, going green and saving money is possible for small businesses. No longer is sustainability a nice to have but should be a mandatory line item in your business plan. It makes financial sense.
