If you recognize the importance of everyone playing their part in being as environmentally friendly as possible, you also likely realize that a lot of the issues that we’re having around the world can be better addressed on a larger scale by businesses rather than on a smaller scale by single individuals. However, because businesses are often motivated primarily by making money, taking steps to protect the environment while also not exactly protecting their bottom line can be hard to swallow. Luckily, you as a consumer can do things to help persuade business to take certain measures that you want to see done.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to encourage big businesses to be more environmentally friendly.
Ask For Fewer Single-Use Items
While you may not sit on the board of any business that could make a big difference with the environment, you do have a say with every dollar you spend and every business you choose to purchase from.
Think about the businesses you purchase from and how many of them use single-use items. If you choose to purchase something from them in the future, consider asking them not to provide you with any single-use items. And if you can, encourage them to stop using single-use items at all and to only use reusable items to help reduce their carbon footprint and the carbon footprints of their customers. While this might not be as effective as carbon removal, every little thing helps.
Encourage Less Or Sustainable Packaging
When ordering things online, there may not be many options for you to adjust the packaging that your shipment will come in. But if there is an option for fewer boxes or less packaging, choosing this option each time can help a business learn that this is something that’s important to their customers.
Along with this measure, if you’re shopping somewhere in-person and are asked about wanting things packaged up or to use a bag or box for your items, try to either bring your own bag, box, or other packaging items or just going without.
Inquire About Recycling And Composting Options
As you spend time in business establishments, especially ones like restaurants, something that you can do to encourage these businesses to be more environmentally conscious is to ask them about what their options for recycling or composting are. If they don’t already have options available for this for both their employees and their customers to use, asking about these things could encourage them to think about this and make plans for this in the future.
If you want to do more to get businesses you work with to be environmentally conscious, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you see how this can be accomplished.
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