When it comes to sustainability, the government and politicians drag their feet. Businesses, on the other hand, do not. They are the ones leading the eco-friendly movement by reducing energy consumption, improving recycling and utilizing renewable energy sources. Companies know that by making these changes, they can uphold their role in being socially responsible and also remain relevant in the future.
Sustainable businesses reap the following benefits:
- Meet customer expectations
- Strengthen customer loyalty
- Improve reputation
- Create a healthier workplace environment
- Save on electricity costs
- Earn tax incentives
Top Companies that are Going Green – and How They’re Doing It
If you look around your business, you can probably think of many ways that you can go green. Here are some of the most notable companies that are already reaching their sustainability goals.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is one of the world’s largest fast-food chains and is taking tremendous strides to go green. By 2025, the fast-food chain will use renewable, recyclable or certified materials in its packaging. It will also be adding recycling bins to all of its restaurants. Foam packaging has been discontinued, and the restaurants use energy-efficient appliances to cut energy waste by 25%.
Starbucks
Starbucks is one of the highest-ranked coffee shops in the world, and it takes sustainability seriously. As part of its “Starbucks Greener Stores” initiative, the company plans to have 10,000 environmentally friendly stores by 2025. It also enforces a bean-to-cup approach and uses recycled coffee grounds to make coffee tables and other furniture.
Walmart
Walmart has an impressive sustainability record. It is the leading company in the U.S. for total on-site solar capacity and installations, succeeding Walgreens, Target, and Apple. By 2020, Walmart plans to have 50% of its operations powered by renewable energy like solar panels and wind turbines. The company has also reduced plastic bag waste and cut ties with suppliers that generated vast carbon emissions.
Google is also making improvements to increase its sustainability profile. The company is committed to getting the most out of technology without using more resources. It has created efficient data centers and workplaces and funds green energy products by purchasing and installing solar panels and windmills. Thanks to these efforts, a Google data center uses 50% less energy than a standard data center.
Dell
Dell can produce a long list of energy efficiency projects over the last decade, including preventing 21,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. One of its most compelling projects is its safe and effective recycling program. Dell allows customers to return any Dell equipment to the company for free. This ensures that all equipment is disposed of correctly.
These are just a few of the companies that are leading the eco-friendly movement. Even though they are big brands, the changes they are making can be done by small businesses, too. The best part is, you get all the same rewards as the big businesses, including an improved reputation and stronger customer loyalty.
