If you're feeling overwhelmed by some of the climate events that happened this year, you're not alone. It might be a good time to talk about the ways your business can reduce its carbon footprint.

Many actions taken today can help reduce the carbon footprint of your business and protect the future of our planet.

 

Here are 5 easy ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your business:

• 1 Cut business travel emissions
• 2 Set up a compost bin
• 3 Advocate meatless Mondays
• 4 Switch to carbon-neutral shipping
• 5 Eliminate plastic waste and go zero waste

 

What is a carbon footprint?

Cambridge Dictionary defines a carbon footprint as:

 

the measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide that someone's activities produce.

 

While you may hear the term used commonly, you may be wondering what it actually means in a business setting?

The carbon footprint of a business can be influenced by the amount and source of energy used, business travel is undertaken, policies in the office and much more.

Regardless of the industry a business is in, there are many ways for a business to reduce its carbon footprint. Embracing new technologies or looking into a carbon offsetting provider might be a great way of going about it. 

Reducing the carbon footprint of a business doesn't need to be difficult nor does it have to cost money. As a matter of fact, it can be as simple as switching energy providers or advocating for more video conference calls instead of business trips.

 

1. Cut business travel emissions

Minimise business travel by replacing face to face meetings with phone and video conference calls. Video meetings remove the need for motor and air travel by offering real-time, high streaming quality experiences, as you would have in person.

The travel sector accounts for 8 percent of global carbon emissions. 

Transport makes up 18% of all greenhouse gas pollution in Australia - the second largest source of greenhouse gas pollution. By reducing emissions related to travel, your business can reduce its carbon footprint whilst saving money. But, if a trip is mandatory, we suggest offsetting your emissions with carbon offset providers such as Green Fleet.

 

2. Set up a compost bin

Ensure there is an appropriate food waste composting system set up in the office kitchen. 

You can compost your waste into a useful product for the office garden or fertilising office plants.

Composting reduces the amount of food waste sent to landfill, which becomes a significant source of methane. Office compost bins are readily available and affordable.

Here, at theotherstraw we compost all our leftovers to ensure nothing is going to waste. If you want a hand setting up an office-friendly compost system, just send us an email!

 

3. Advocate meatless Mondays

Minimise meat consumption in your office and encourage plant-based meals at least one day per week. This is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint as an individual and as a business.

 A recent study undertaken by the University of Oxford found that plant-based diets can reduce an individual's carbon footprint by up to 73 percent. Imagine the amount of emissions that could be reduced if an entire office or business was to embrace Meatless Mondays and opt for a plant-based meal instead?

 

4. Switch to carbon-neutral shipping 

Reduce the emissions of your business by shipping carbon-neutral. Whether you are sending out orders or posting a letter to your accountant, send out packages carbon-neutral to reduce the carbon footprint of your business. However, if you can avoid shipping by sending an email instead, this is even better for the environment. 

The environmental impact of shipping is huge. Shipping produces nearly 3 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon-neutral shipping practices are essential for reducing the carbon footprint of a business.

At theotherstraw, all our orders are sent out plastic-free and carbon-neutral. In Australia, Sendle delivers 100% carbon neutral on all their orders and Australia Post with some services.

 

5. Eliminate plastic waste and go zero waste

Reduce the plastic consumed and embrace zero waste business practices. Ways to zero waste could include:

• Purchasing supplies such as tape and paper made from recycled sources and packaged plastic-free
• Opting for soap bars or refills over plastic bottles
• Replacing coffee pods with reusable metal pods
• Refilling and recycling ink and toner cartridges
• Implement paperless practices at your office/business
• Setting up a reusable mug station for employees to use when grabbing a takeaway coffee  

At theotherstraw, we purchase all our packaging materials such as paper, tape and other collateral from recycled, sustainable sources that arrive to us plastic-free. If we're getting a takeaway coffee or meal, we'd always bring our own reusable coffee cups and containers. 

 

There you go, five easy ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your business - little or no spend required. 

We recommend finding out the carbon footprint of your business by using this business carbon footprint calculator from CarbonFund.org 

By taking small steps and swaps, together, we can protect the future of our planet.

Do you have any tips on reducing the carbon emissions of your business that you would like to share? Tell us in the comments below!