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UK consumers are increasingly looking to buy planet-friendly products and use planet-friendly services. In fact, 80% of shoppers in the UK describe themselves as ‘environmentally friendly’.
But small businesses need to do more to reduce their carbon footprint if the If the UK is to hit its target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Consumers pay more for planet-friendly brands
If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to really start looking after the planet. Since 1970, carbon emissions have increased by around 90% and plastic pollution is a real problem. If you run a small business like me, you need to do your bit to become more sustainable. Sustainability is really important for preserving the planet for future generations. It also improves the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem and helps preserve our natural resources.
Nearly half of UK consumers have boycotted a brand purely based on its lack of ethical or eco-policies, according to a new study conducted by retailer Clothes2Order. Furthermore, a global study of 600k millennials found that 73% are willing to pay more for sustainability.
In the UK, social and environmentally responsible consumers are also not afraid of calling out brands that make ‘meaningless’ climate pledges. Green consumerism is here to stay and small businesses as well as the large brands, all have their part to play.
What exactly is a planet-friendly business?
A planet-friendly or ethical business is a business that considers the impact its actions, products and services have on the environment, people and animals. This includes the end product or service, its origins, and how it’s manufactured and distributed.
Become a small business net-zero hero!
According to the Federation of Small Business, the UK Government’s ambition for net-zero can’t be realised without an empowered and supported small business community.
You can join thousands of businesses tackling climate change by signing up here.
The global initiative to #RaceToZero
Small Business Planet is a campaign delivered by Small Business Britain to engage small businesses in climate action and encourage them to commit to making their business “net zero”.
This is part of the global initiative to #RaceToZero – to commit the planet to net zero emissions by 2050. The campaign’s primary focus is to encourage small businesses to commit to net zero and will help them make that commitment through a series of educational events, content and expert advice on how they can address their impact on emissions and reduce our collective impact on the planet.
10 simple tips for a more planet-friendly small business
New research shows many consumers believe brands bear as much responsibility for positive change as governments. Businesses must commit to protecting nature and natural systems. So, If you don’t want to get left behind, you need to start thinking about ways you can make your small business more planet-friendly. Here are my top ten tips:
1. Choose planet-friendly suppliers – where possible try to work with suppliers who are committed to sustainable environmental practices as well as protecting the health and safety of people and the planet.
2. Remove plastic from your business – get rid of all the plastic including plastic water bottles and plastic packaging and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives.
3. Use an eco-friendly printer or go paperless if you can – having an eco-friendly printer reduces the impact on the environment and preserves natural resources.
4. Choose a green energy supplier – green energy is electricity and gas that is generated from renewable sources instead of fossil fuels like coal and gas.
5. Use energy-efficient appliances – using energy-efficient appliances will cut your carbon footprint and save you money.
6. Work remotely – this will help reduce your carbon footprint
7. Recycle your e-waste including smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs – The waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations 2013 mean it is more important than ever that businesses find practical, inexpensive and effective e-waste solutions
8. Reduce waste, reuse products and recycle – BITC’s new guide to recycling, waste management and resource productivity aims to help businesses to understand how to eliminate avoidable waste. Click here to download the guide
9. Buy carbon offsets – By calculating and offsetting your Carbon Footprint, your business can reverse all of its impact on climate change in 2022. For more info visit Carbon Neutral Britain.
10. Plant trees – planting trees is another way of offsetting your Carbon Footprint. Check out Make It Wild
Membership organisations for planet-friendly businesses
B Corp Certification from B Lab UK
B Corps are businesses that are voluntarily certified every two years for their social and environmental performance by a global non-profit organisation.
B Corp Certification doesn’t just evaluate a product or service; it assesses the overall positive impact of the company that stands behind it. And increasingly that’s what people care most about. B Corp was started in 2007 and gives scores to companies in order for them to be verified. These five areas are: governance, workers, community, environment and customers. Visit B Lab UK to find out more and read their story so far here
Green Mark Accreditation
Green Mark’s aim is to make green accreditation accessible to all, reflecting their simple belief that everyone can make a difference. To find out more click here
Green Street: Planet-Friendly Guide for SMEs
Green Street is a Planet Friendly Guide with around 30 practical actions to help small retailers & hospitality businesses work together to slash their carbon footprint and become more sustainable as quickly as possible. To find out more click here
Not all ethical businesses are what they seem
I was really shocked to discover some of the so-called ethical brands are actually owned by unethical companies including Vivera, Dorset Cereals, Innocent and Lily’s Kitchen. Needless to say, I won’t be buying from them anymore
Say no to Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a type of marketing used by companies to make their products appear environmentally friendly when in fact the opposite is true.
Sadly, many brands mislead consumers that they are ‘green’ when they aren’t so it’s important to recognise what greenwashing is and avoid it. Fashion is rife with greenwashing and I’m delighted the UK watchdog is set to expose the guilty fashion brands. The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world after the oil industry. It’s responsible for a staggering 10% of all global gas emissions!!
Worryingly, a staggering 78% of consumers in a recent survey were unable to recognise greenwashing.
Green Claims Code
The good news is that the CMA has published a new Green Claims Code to help businesses ensure that any green claims they’re making are truthful and don’t mislead well-meaning shoppers.
Consumers want retailers to be more green
Consumers have become more conscious of their environmental impact since Covid-19 and want retailers to be more green
A recent survey has revealed that 56% of respondents prefer to buy products that can be delivered from within their own country. Over a third (35%) of consumers want to purchase naturally sourced, locally sourced or sustainable products.
My Little Green Directory for planet-friendly handmade brands
I’m on a mission to encourage more people in the UK to buy handmade, planet-friendly products from small, independent brands. With that in mind, I’m launching an exciting new curated directory called ‘My Little Green Directory’ to showcase the UK’s best small planet-friendly, handmade brands. The launch coincides with this year’s Earth Day which takes place on Friday 22nd April.
Planet-friendly businesses are booming in the UK
Ethical spending in the UK went up by nearly 24% between 2019 and 2020, and the market is now worth £122billion.
There is still a long way to go as consumers see convenience and price as more important than sustainability at the all-important buying stage. However, planet-friendly small businesses that put sustainability at the heart of their business and communicate this honestly and transparently are in the perfect position to benefit as the UK moves towards a more meaningful way of life.
