Did you know that 69% of Canadian consumers expect companies to drive social and environmental change in the absence of government action? Considering the massive repercussions the planet is facing for not taking action, it’s important for businesses to intentionally bridge the gap between creating products that are sustainable and following practices that are sustainable. 

While consumers will purchase a product that is more environmentally and ethically friendly, they will also stop purchasing from a company that doesn’t show initiative behind the scenes as much as it does on the shelf. 

The Three Pillars of Sustainability

Creating a long term plan to make your business more sustainable doesn’t need to be difficult! If you focus on the three pillars of sustainability in business and utilize the many resources available, it’s very straightforward.

The Three Pillars of Sustainability in a Canadian Business are:

• Environmental Performance

  A commitment to protect the environment by assessing your carbon footprint and setting targets that reduce environmental risks. 

• Economic Performance

  The ability to limit risks during production to positively contribute to economic development and growth.

• Social Performance

  The values that promote equality and respect for individual rights; combating exclusion and discrimination while encouraging education and transparency.

Create a Long Term Plan to Make Your Local Business Sustainable

There are so many resources available to begin making your local business sustainable, and depending on the budget of your business you can hire a sustainability consultant to guide you. 

Here are some quick questions you can ask yourself before you get started:

Take a Look Around The Office

• What materials can be switched out for eco-friendly ones, or eliminated completely? 
• Where can you replace in-person meetings with an email or a zoom call?
• Can you offer a flexible Work From Home arrangement to employees to reduce their carbon footprint when commuting?

Think About Your Company’s Products and Services

• Are the materials used eco friendly and ethically sourced?
• Can you utilize different packing options?
• Where does your product end up – landfill or recycling?

At DigiHype Media, we took a Birds-Eye-View perspective on our business to see how we affected the environment and community around us. We started a tree planting initiative, where we plant a tree for every new client that chooses to work with us. We are so proud to say that we have now planted over 200 trees across Canada, and look forward to planting many more!

Partnering Up with Ethical Business Partners 

As more consumers prioritize sustainability, it’s important as a business owner to make sure that you are partnering with businesses that match your ethical values! While DigiHype Media makes an effort towards the environment with our tree planting program, we also take special care to work with companies that prioritize sustainability and giving back to their communities.

When you choose to invest in the digital presence of your company with DigiHype Media, you are also investing in the fight against climate change and deforestation. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help your small business reach people who value ethical and sustainable consumer practices just like your business does!