In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, prioritising Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria is more critical than ever. Stakeholders, including investors, consumers, and regulators, are increasingly demanding robust ESG strategies that reflect a company's commitment and sustainable business practices to more sustainable and ethical practices.

A well-implemented ESG strategy aligns with environmental and social goals and enhances business operations and reputation. This month, we explore practical and impactful ESG actions that can be tailored to fit your business in adopting sustainable practices, helping you make meaningful changes and meet these growing demands for social and environmental impacts.

1. Improve waste management and reduction

In the modern economy, we generate more waste than ever before. In fact, the United Nations estimates that 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected each year. Only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled, with the rest incinerated or sent to landfills. Poor landfill management can contribute to air, water, and land pollution, negatively affecting human health and the environment.

These facts highlight the importance of implementing responsible waste management and reduction strategies in the workplace to lower our collective environmental footprint and improve environmental sustainability for future generations.

Why waste management and reduction matters:

Lowers pollution:

Responsible waste management and reduction can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, which helps to lower pollution and helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

Organic waste decomposition can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Proper waste management can mitigate this, thus helping reduce environmental issues.

Encourages conservation:

Proper waste management, particularly recycling, encourages reusing materials, which in turn, reduces our reliance on natural resources used in production.

Economic benefits:

Implementing better waste management reduces the costs associated with waste disposal and supports the economy by creating new jobs in the industry. It also helps reduce our environmental impact and improve economic opportunities.

Here are the practical steps to improve waste management:

Audit:

Conduct a waste audit to analyse key waste streams and identify areas for improvement to assist in adopting more sustainable practices.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle:

Adopting more sustainable practices such as implementing practices to reduce waste generation, such as switching to paperless systems.

Facilitate waste segregation to maximise recycling and prevent contamination. Provide clearly labelled bins and appropriate collection mechanisms.

Opt for durable and reusable products to minimise waste and help improve more sustainable practices.

Compost:

Establish composting programs, especially for significant organic waste streams. Use compostable bin liners instead of plastic.

Whether you already have a waste management program in place or are creating one from scratch, your program should be reviewed regularly as your business evolves and needs change. Educating staff on how to comply with good waste practices is also a good idea.

2. Assess business product list

Many of us buy particular products or stay loyal to brands out of habit, rarely giving them a second thought. However, these products can impact the environment and human health through their production, the materials they use, or the ingredients they contain.

We recommend reviewing your business's products and considering their contribution to ESG sustainability efforts. How do you know how to assess your products and make better choices? Consider the following:

Review more sustainable alternatives

Look for greener alternatives that substitute traditional chemicals with plant-derived ingredients or materials from more renewable sources. Look for products made from recycled materials.

Assess performance attributes

Ensure new products meet functional requirements. There’s no point switching products if the new product won’t work. Do your research and ask for recommendations.

Assess durability

It’s easy to fall for sub-par products in an attempt to reduce costs, but this can be more expensive in the long run and contribute to waste. Opt for durable products that will last.

Look for third-party certifications

Understanding ingredient lists and determining environmental and health impacts can be difficult. Third-party certifications can provide assurance. These certifications give you peace of mind that the brand's claims have been independently verified.

Assess packaging

Look for products with minimal packaging, recycled or readily recyclable packaging, or brands with a packaging take-back scheme.

Request a trial

See which brands offer free trials, and take advantage of them to ensure that the product meets your needs before committing.

3. Optimise energy use

Energy efficiency is a practical and impactful ESG action that can benefit the environment and your bottom line. There are actions you can take immediately and changes that you can make over time to optimise energy consumption.

Benefits of reducing energy consumption:

Climate change mitigation:

Greenhouse gas emissions are a primary driver of climate change. By minimising consumption, you help mitigate the adverse effects of global warming.

Cost savings:

Energy efficiency can lead to significant cost savings for businesses, freeing up resources that can be reinvested in other areas.

Enhance company reputation:

Energy-efficient practices and technologies can enhance a company's reputation and have a positive impact, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and responsibility in operating.

How can you improve energy efficiency in your business? Here are actions your business can take:

Energy-efficient devices and automation

LED lighting is an easy win regarding energy savings, as it uses less energy usage and lasts longer.

Consider motion sensors or timers, which ensure devices use energy only when necessary.

Switch to renewable energy sources:

It may mean upfront costs, but it will provide your business with cost savings in the future.

Improve your building:

Install insulation, double-glazed windows, and sealing air gaps to reduce heating and cooling costs.

Audit energy consumption:

Identify high-consumption areas to focus your reduction initiatives and sustainability goals.

ESG covers a broad range of topics which can seem daunting, but you don’t have to do everything in one go. Making small changes makes a big difference in the long run. You can make meaningful strides towards sustainability by improving waste management, assessing product usage, and optimising energy use can still make a significant impact.

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