A Business Case for Sustainability

An Overview

According to nonprofit CDP, companies that build sustainability into their core strategies are outperforming those that fail to do so. Implementing long-term eco-conscious practices can help reduce an organization’s expenditures over time. This practice isn’t just limited to managing waste output through traditional practices like recycling, either. Green methodology can be applied to areas like purchasing practices and digital working capabilities, both of which help drive profit.

By making socially responsible business choices, business leaders can also expect to notice changes in the productivity and engagement of staff. Studies show that when a team member feels tied to a greater purpose, they’re more likely to align themselves with your organization’s vision and goals. That positive reputation doesn’t stop inside of the company, either. Going green pays off in attracting top talent – specifically those on the younger end of the spectrum. Research shows that 91% of millennials would consider switching employers to be associated with a company that is considered socially responsible. 

Ultimately, business leaders have both the opportunity and the responsibility to make sustainable choices. Because green practices play such a vital role in the success of a modern workplace, it’s important for businesses to approach their operations in a way that’s good for both the planet and their bottom line.

Moving Beyond The Status Quo of Recycling

When we moved into our new studio, we looked at our sustainability practices and asked ourselves, “Is what we’re doing enough?” While any steps taken towards working green should be applauded, we know that an organization can do more than simply manage their waste output. To truly champion the concept of a sustainable workplace, we felt it was important that we surpass standard measures.

When assessing the green initiatives we have in place at Bulb Digital, we applied the methodology of the 3R’s:

1. Recycle (Good): This is the space that most organizations operate in when it comes to sustainability. If you aren’t quite here yet, this is the place to start your business’ journey – after all, you need to walk before you can run. To begin, you might implement an initiative like sorting recyclable material into dedicated bins, starting with simple materials like aluminum cans and cardboard. Once you have this concept nailed down, you can start extending your practice to uncommon items such as batteries. Here, you can also start prioritizing your refuse pickup schedule, giving precedence to your company’s recycling. 

2. Reuse (Better): Rather than opting for new material, try to repurpose what you already have. Collaborate with one another to reassign and reuse gear that might not work for one team member anymore. By creating this sense of shared purpose and community, you’re able to capitalize on an item’s potential without investing in new equipment. You can take this concept a step further in your business by organizing cultural initiatives like coordinated group meals, or shared dinnerware within your facility’s kitchen space to eliminate single-use materials.

3. Refuse (Best): The most sustainable practice of all is to refrain from contributing to your organization’s waste output. One of the best ways to do this is through implementing collaborative technology systems that make it simple for your business to operate without a paper trail. By reducing your organization’s eco-footprint in this way, your company will reap the benefits of cost savings by eliminating the need to maintain equipment or store and dispose of physical files.
   

In our studio, we have these 3R’s fully integrated into the way we work, and we are always hoping to help others get down this path. When properly applied, this methodology can help your organization adopt digital trends that reduce your business’s eco-footprint. Eliminating practices that don’t serve your lean agenda opens the door to cost savings, which in turn, creates an opportunity to reinvest in your people.

An Exponential Impact 

As the digital landscape continues to develop, so will the opportunities that arise when businesses are conscientious of the weight their choices hold. We believe that working green is about cascading different initiatives that set a new, digital standard across the marketplace. In our quest to make our clients successful, we help businesses adopt digital workplace trends that make a difference within their communities.