Tomball entrepreneurs should focus on sustainable business models for long-term success

Eco Friendly Office Options

You might not think that an office can make a lot of trash but it does. The good news is that it's easy to fix that. First think about going online. Not only are systems for billing and filing without paper cool they are also helpful. They help you get rid of things you don't need and keep your papers in order. You and your coworkers could use Google Workspace (https://workspace.google.com/) to work together without leaving a paper trail.

Next think about how you use power. Switching to LED bulbs that use less energy can help the environment and save you money. Also make sure to unplug electronics when you're not using them. They still use power even when they're not in use. Smart power strips are a big help here. You could even take it a step further and use renewable energy companies like Green Mountain Energy (https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/), which is available in Texas.

The tools are also very important. Look for office appliances that have the Energy Star rating (https://www.energystar.gov/). They are made to work well while using less energy. It can make a big difference to buy electronics like printers copiers and other things that use less energy.

Getting things and keeping track of the supply chain

Your carbon footprint is greatly affected by your supply chain. You don't have to do it all at once which can be scary. Start small. Look into your suppliers. Are they good for the planet? If you work with companies that share your values it can make your brand look better and have less of an effect on the environment.

If you make things think about what goes into them. Is there a way to get materials that is good for the environment? For example using recycled or upcycled materials can cut down on a lot of waste. Companies like TerraCycle (https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/) can help you learn how to make recycling a part of your product's life cycle.

Buying things from local stores is another important step. It helps the economy in your area and cuts down on pollution from transportation. It helps Willis and your business. Can you get fresh fruits and vegetables from a farm nearby instead of having them shipped in? You should think about it.

Plans to reduce waste

It might not sound like fun but it's very important to manage waste. First take care of what you throw away. You can find out what you throw away the most by doing a waste audit. This could help you see things more clearly and figure out what to do next.

It's easy to recycle but you need to plan ahead to do it right. Put up clear labeled bins so that your team knows where everything goes. You might be surprised at how much this helps. If the laws in your area let you the next thing you do could be to compost. Composting not only cuts down on waste but it also gives you a useful resource for gardening. Visit groups like the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/) for tips on how to compost correctly.

Lastly think about how the package looks. If you have to send something use materials that can be recycled or composted. You could use biodegradable packing peanuts or recycled boxes instead of regular packing peanuts or boxes. Customers also like the extra work.

Teaching and getting workers involved

Your team can help you be more environmentally friendly or stop you from doing so. The most important thing is to get people involved and teach them. Teach your workers why sustainability is important to your brand and how they can help. Regular meetings or workshops can help keep the project fresh and useful.

It takes a long time to create a culture that cares about the environment. Give people rewards and praise for doing things that help the environment like biking to work or using water bottles that can be used again. When you recycle a certain amount or use less energy make a big deal out of it. Use Slack or Microsoft Teams (https://slack.com/ and https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software) to share and celebrate these wins.

Employees can also lead committees that help projects move forward and give useful feedback. Give them the tools and authority to make changes. Remember that the goal is to make sustainability a normal part of your company's culture.

Being a leader and taking part in the community

Being environmentally friendly is good for your business and the community as a whole. If you take charge you can be a leader and people in the Willis area will follow your example.

Get involved in projects in your area or start your own. This could be anything from a seminar on how to be more environmentally friendly for local businesses to cleaning up the neighborhood. You can get more done and meet other leaders who share your values by working with local environmental groups.

It's also important to share your story. In company newsletters or on social media talk about how you got to where you are now in terms of sustainability. Being open and honest shows that you're not just trying to sell something and that you can be trusted. It's easy to get in touch with people in your area on Facebook and other sites like it (https://www.facebook.com/).

You don't have to spend a lot of money or work hard to go green. It's all about how you think and making small changes that are good for your business. Sustainability doesn't mean getting there. Putting the environment first can help your business in Willis by making your workplace healthier saving you money and improving your brand's reputation. It's also nice to know that you're doing something good for the world.

So go for it. It's up to you whether you want to start small or go big. You should be proud of everything you do that is good for the environment. Here's to a greener business and a better future for Willis.