Why Being Environmentally Sustainable Is Key To Attracting Talent To Your Business

Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) are leading the way towards a more environmentally responsible workforce. The majority of this age group (62%) want to work for a company that has a positive impact on the world, and an increasing number are placing emphasis on meaningful work over earning a high salary.

By ignoring this growing desire, businesses risk alienating two-thirds of millennials, and could inadvertently be restricting their access to a young, talented and socially-responsible workforce.

Ethical responsibility aside, these figures demonstrate that introducing environmentally sustainable practices just makes good business sense for your company. Employees are more likely to be engaged and productive if they know that their employer is as value-driven as they are.

Gaining a competitive edge is another advantage of running an eco-conscious business. Your brand image is an integral part of a consumer’s purchasing decisions; a study by Nielsen showed that 66% of consumers would pay more for a product made from sustainable sources, with this figure rising to 73% for millennials. Brands who ignore the issue of environmental sustainability are therefore putting their reputation and levels of consumer trust at risk, meaning they are less likely to attract new talent to their company.

Implementing an environmentally sustainable approach for your business also makes perfect sense from a financial point of view. Streamlining the resources your business uses can save you money in the long term – water, energy and waste management costs can be cut by reducing the amount of business waste going to the landfill, switching to more efficient LED lighting and introducing water saving devices.

How Can Your Business Take Advantage Of The Green Revolution?

#1 Reduce Waste

Recycling is one of the most obvious ways for companies to embark upon their journey towards environmental sustainability. Take the time to identify the waste your business produces and think of ways to reduce this – for example, replace disposable cups with reusable ones and only print documents when absolutely necessary. Waste must also be segregated so that it can be recycled – an authorized waste collection service can help you best manage this. Your business actually has a duty of care to dispose of its waste without harming the environment and can face an unlimited fine if this duty is breached.

#2 Travel With Care

Consider implementing a travel plan for staff. Could you make it easier for them to adopt active travel, such as cycling? Providing secure cycle racks and showers can encourage your employees to get to work in environmentally sustainable ways.

#3 Source Responsibly

It’s important that your sustainability extends down your supply chain to ensure you aren’t using office supplies that are harming the environment. Investigate whether the products you buy are made with recycled, renewable or recyclable materials – if they aren’t, stop using them! For example, only buy tea and coffee that carry the Fairtrade credentials, and consider providing pens that can be re-filled instead of single-use ones.

#4 Comply With Legislation

It’s no use just declaring that your business is compassionate about the environment on your website homepage – instead, demonstrate this in practice and adhere to relevant environmental legislation to back this up. My company NetRegs provides a range of comprehensive sustainability checklists so you can be sure that your business is complying with environmental legislation.

By ensuring your business is adhering to this legislation, you can avoid potential fines or even prosecution. An environmental management system (EMS) can help you identify and manage your business’s environmental impact and ensure that you are complying with government legislation. Running an EMS will improve your brand’s environmentally responsible image and provide you with official proof of your compliance with environmental regulations.

#5 Utilize Available Resources

Taking practical steps to change how your business operates is crucial to attracting environmentally conscious talent. There are a huge number of ways to do so, and NetRegs is an excellent resource for business looking to get started.

We offer a self-assessment tool that is an easy way to check your company’s environmental compliance anonymously and for free. It will produce a personalized report to highlight areas for improvement within your business and suggest steps for tackling any problem areas. We also offer a free savings calculator that evaluates how much money your business could save on resources such as water energy and raw materials.

#6 Communicate Credentials

Communicating your business’s EMS is a great way to show potential employees that your business is an environmentally responsible one. However, make sure you’re being truthful when promoting your company’s sustainability policy – anybody can say that they care about being sustainable, but actually providing evidence can help you to assert your green credentials and stand out to an environmentally conscious talent pool.

Being environmentally sustainable presents a diverse range of opportunities for your company by attracting a talented range of socially aware employees. As an environmentally sustainable business, you can tap into the tremendous potential of the growing green market while benefitting from cost savings, distinct marketing advantage and the knowledge that your business is playing its part in reducing its impact on the environment.

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