Five ways to a more sustainable company

Dear Blog Readers,

in today's world, companies face an ever-increasing number of challenges. In the long term, the potential impact of climate change is probably the biggest challenge, and it has long been widely recognized that every business should contribute to preserving the planet by acting sustainably. But what specific measures can be implemented? I have summarized some suggestions and tips for you:

Tip #1: Involve employees

It's hard to get started - that's why it's important to first get an overview of the possibilities for more sustainability in your company. Employees should also be involved in the brainstorming process, as this leads to creative solutions. At the same time, this promotes identification with the measures and the company.

Tip #2: Reduce electricity consumption and switch to renewable energies

Take a close look at your energy consumption and identify areas of your business where you can reduce it. Whether it's lighting, heating, or technology, there are often many small adjustments that can add up to a big change in power consumption.
Also check where you get your electricity from and switch to renewable energy from the sun, wind, and water. By doing so, you'll reduce your CO2 emissions, increase your company's efficiency in the long run, and lower your costs. The German government also supports forward-looking measures.

Tip #3: Work with sustainable packaging

More and more consumers are consciously paying attention to the packaging when making their purchasing decisions, and you should do the same when it comes to manufacturing. Use as little packaging as possible and use sustainable materials. Here are a few examples:
- Biodegradable packaging, e.g. made of wood
- Plastic made from renewable raw materials such as corn starch
- Recycled paper and cardboard
It is important for sustainable packaging that the raw materials are obtained in a way that conserves resources and can be disposed of or recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.

Tip #4: Pay attention to a regional and sustainable supply chain

No company is an island, so you should not only examine your own company in terms of sustainability, but also your suppliers and partners. Can the transport distance of the (preliminary) products be reduced, e.g. by choosing a regional supplier? What are the environmental and social standards of your partners? When it comes to production, also look for sustainability seals such as organic or fair trade labels.

Tip #5: Zero Waste - waste prevention

When it comes to sustainability trends, the "zero waste" lifestyle is at the top of the list in 2022. The goal is to produce as little waste as possible in the household. Companies can also use the 3R rule (Reduce - Reuse - Recycle) as a guide:

Reduction of waste and packaging

Companies produce different amounts and types of waste - find ways to reduce this in your company.
What about your paper consumption? Can you minimize it by, for example, printing less and working more digitally? Many companies are developing sustainable solutions in this area, such as the introduction of digital receipts in retail stores. Customers receive their receipt by scanning a QR code or their customer card, for example.
If your products are packaged, for example, check whether this packaging is necessary and whether the amount of packaging, especially plastic, can be reduced. Examples include fruit and vegetables, which can be found in supermarkets both loose and packaged.
Avoiding food waste is also an important issue, because every day in Germany fresh produce is thrown away that has not been sold off. Before everything ends up in the garbage can, donate the leftovers, for example. However, it is more sustainable and economical not to produce a large surplus of products in the first place. Digital progress offers a variety of solutions here, because with the integration of the right software, sales forecasts become so accurate that you only order what is actually purchased.
Companies like foodforecast, for example, offer you software based on artificial intelligence that combines historical sales data with external influencing factors. The result is an automated and accurate sales forecast every day.

Reuse of products and upcycling

It is important to value resources. So before throwing something away, consider whether there is a second life cycle for the product.
In upcycling, for example, discarded products are reworked into new products. Euro pallets, for example, are turned into garden furniture. Using recycled paper or avoiding disposable products are also ways to save resources. At best, you also encourage your customers to rethink. As a café, bakery or supermarket owner, you can, for example, offer discounts to encourage customers to bring their own coffee mug or box for grocery shopping.

Recycling

The 3rd step on the way to "Zero Waste" is waste recycling. If the waste cannot be avoided, then the materials should still be recyclable. The PET bottle, for example, is thus broken down into its original materials and the granulate is used for new products such as backpacks or textiles. So as a company, you can make sure to use recyclable materials as well as buy products made from recycled materials.

As we have seen, there are multiple opportunities for companies to operate more sustainably. Regardless of the level, the important thing is to act now. At foodforecast, we're happy to help you reduce food waste within your business with the use of our AI software. Contact us to learn more about our AI software and how we can optimize your sales forecasts through machine learning.