It’s no secret that running a business of any scale has an impact on the environment. For some, it can seem out of reach to consider investments like solar, expensive new equipment or different manufacturing partnerships that are committed to healthier production. But high-ticket investments are not the only ways to make a difference.

In fact, committing to simple, everyday alternatives and changing the company culture around these topics can have transformative ripple effects. Employees who are asked to participate in energy-saving practices at work are more likely to bring those values home and implement them into their personal lives. This means more people making smarter choices — and advocating for a cleaner future — on a regular basis.

Here are 10 real-life ways promo companies can incorporate green and sustainable elements into their daily routines.

1

Install Solar Panels

Thanks to advancements in technology and an increase in demand, solar is becoming a more affordable option for businesses. At Bella+Canvas (asi/39590), solar panels cover the roof of the company’s 1.2 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. Faviola Gonzales, manager of sales operations, also shares that the supplier is building a solar farm in Nicaragua that will provide energy for the apparel supplier’s local offices and sewing processes.

Geiger has made numerous changes geared toward sustainability, including building a 700-panel solar array that powers the Top 40 distributor’s headquarters and switching to recycled, recyclable or biodegradable packing materials.

Adopting solar energy allows for remarkable measurements in energy savings and pollution prevention. In 2018, Top 40 distributor Geiger (asi/202900) debuted its LEED Gold Certified headquarters, which is fully powered by a 700-panel solar array. “The electricity generated by these panels has prevented the pollution of 1.3 million pounds of C02 into the earth’s atmosphere and saved more than 46,000 gallons of gas,” says Jo-an Lantz, president and CEO at the Lewiston, ME-based company, and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo.

Even solopreneurs can benefit from installing solar panels to power their home — and home office.

2

Implement an Intentional Purchasing Policy

Getting specific with your office’s purchasing policy can protect the sustainability values of your company. Decide on your areas of focus – like buying only 100% post-consumer-made paper. A policy holds the company accountable when deciding what your money supports and which materials enter the office.

3

Ban Single-Use Items

Refusing the “Big Five” – single-use bags, cups, bottles, utensils and straws – is a key component in creating a sustainable office. “Office break rooms can be full of single-use items like stirring sticks, utensils, creamers, plastic or Styrofoam cups and K-cups,” says Andy Keller, CEO and founder of ChicoBag (asi/44811) and a member of the Promo for the Planet advisory board. “We’ve replaced all single-use with silverware, real cups, reusable take-out containers, bulk Tupperware for snacks, and we share notes on which restaurants are reusable-container friendly, so we can support them and vote for change with our dollars.”

ChicoBag has reusable kitchen utensils and takeout containers in its break rooms to eliminate the need for single-use items.

4

Conserve Water

Reusables in the office warrant the need for a clear standard in washing dishes in-house. Michelle Sheldon, president of Eco Promotional Products (asi/185797) in Libertyville, IL, and a member of the Promo for the Planet advisory board, says the simple addition of a dish scraper – to clear food off plates into a compost bin or the garbage – can save a surprising amount of water, as you’re not wasting water while you scrub. It’s also worth installing faucets with motion sensors in the bathrooms and kitchen.

On a larger scale, consider overall manufacturing processes throughout your supply chain. Bella+Canvas’ dye houses, for example, use Swiss technology and “ultra-low liquid ratio” dye equipment. Compared to older technology, which has an eight-to-one water-to-fabric ratio, this technology provides a dyebath of three-to-one water-to-fabric ratio, totaling just four liters of water for each kilogram of fabric, according to Gonzales. “This investment can save up to 24 million gallons of water per week,” she adds.

5

Go Paper (Towel)-less

Paperless offices have been a trend in recent years, helping organizations save money and resources. But printer stock isn’t the only type of paper in heavy use at most offices. Consider that the average person uses up to 3,000 paper towels at work in a given year. Multiply this by millions of people, and it becomes a large contribution to waste. At ChicoBag, all employees (15 to 30 people, depending on the season) have their own hand towels in the restroom, with their names above the hooks, and they use cloth napkins in the break room. A hamper in the bathroom allows employees to drop their towel when they want it washed, not only preventing additional paper waste, but also helping people feel at home in a place where they spend a majority of their waking hours.

6

Opt for Alternative Packing Materials

In the promo industry, packing materials make up a large portion of a company’s waste. Research sustainable packing options, aiming for biodegradable as much as possible, choosing from an array of new filler products made from corn, cellulose, mushroom and seaweed. In this vein, Austin-based Eco Marketing Solutions (asi/185798) switched all outbound deliveries to recycled kraft paper and packs branded merchandise in bulk, without using individual plastic wrap when possible, says Lauren Piller, vice president.

Similarly, Geiger replaced its traditional warehouse packing materials, such as polybags, bubble envelopes, tape and foam filling to recycled, recyclable or biodegradable alternatives.

7

Repurpose Where Possible

You’ve heard the saying, “One person’s trash is another’s treasure.” You can participate in this cyclical process by upcycling or giving away items instead of taking them to the dump. Old office furniture? Give it to a budding entrepreneur, college student or new homeowner. Misprinted T-shirts or apparel with outdated branding? Organize daily pickups from vendors that use the fabric for dog bed filling, furniture stuffing and more. (There are also promo-specific organizations such as SwagCycle that can facilitate bulk recycling and upcycling of outdated or unwanted goods.) Also think about purchasing used items where possible, to play the other side of the coin.

8

Be Mindful of Passive Energy Use

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how much electricity you’re using by leaving office and parking lot lights on at night – or during the day when not needed. Use natural light as much as possible, and consider lamps for each desk space, instead of energy (and soul-sucking) fluorescent overhead lights. Take a hint from the sustainability team at Geiger, which placed signs around the office to remind employees to switch off PCs, heating and other electronics when not in use.

As for heating and air conditioning, consider a more balanced way to use these technologies. If employees are bundling up in sweaters in summer due to cold AC settings or showing signs of being hot in the winter, it might be time to find a more appropriate resting temperature that will provide comfort without the extremes. Also consider having an energy audit done to determine how efficient your energy use is overall. Identify problem areas and fix leaks which will ultimately lower energy use and monthly utility bills.

9

Design Your Office for Hybrid Work

As the structure of work continues to change post-pandemic, it’s important to consider building design that better fits modern workflow. The hybrid office has less need for individually “owned” spaces like closed office rooms for every employee, Tim Gawel, associate principal of market sector leadership at HED Design, noted in an article for Allwork Space. Companies will be placing more emphasis on team and community-centered spaces and designing conference rooms with technological integrations that allow for everyone to have the same on-camera appearance and audio quality. This transition to a new workplace culture is a perfect time to consider more sustainable options for design, lighting, furniture, taking down walls to allow more collaboration – and natural light and heat – as well as using flexible technology for a seamless hybrid experience.

Implementing hybrid work policies also has the potential to save on greenhouse gas emissions, as employees can tune in via Zoom or other audio and video platforms instead of commuting to work. “We introduced a remote and hybrid work model that we estimate saves over 20,000 gallons of gas annually,” says Lantz of Geiger.

10

Track Your Waste-Reduction Progress

It goes without saying in 2023 that it’s imperative to recycle if you care about the planet. It’s easy to separate materials and send them off to another facility for the heavy lifting, but challenge yourself to take that a step further: Track your waste and recycled goods each month so you understand your company’s habits, then strive to decrease that number year over year (or month over month). ChicoBag estimates that the average American contributes over 130 pounds of waste to a landfill per month, but with the recycling and composting program it has in place, the entire office contributes less than one pound of waste to landfills per employee per month.

Promo for the Planet is your destination for the latest news, biggest trends and best ideas to help build a more sustainable and socially-responsible industry.