These days, sustainability is more than just a trend, what with the current environmental situation worldwide. Producing waste is, after all, inevitable for businesses, which contribute greatly to pollution and climate change. In a country with a total of 957,620 business enterprises, resource efficiency is one sustainable practice among enterprises that can help manage and reduce waste.

The question is, how can a business get started on this journey?

Steps to be more resource efficient

The first step is to invest in resource efficiency basics. An example would be opting for energy efficient lighting. The switch will be easy on the environment and the business utility bills.

Here are other ways according to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA):

• Conduct a waste assessment: Find out what needs to be changed or updated in waste management
• Conserve water: Reduce water waste in business operations. This can start from encouraging better employee consumption behaviors to setting up signs to remind customers to do the same
• Make better purchasing decisions: Avoid over-ordering raw materials
• Go for last-mile delivery solutions: Business deliveries can be better with multiple stop deliveries and other logistics solutions. Not only is it practical, it also helps lower a vehicle’s carbon footprint
• Improve storage and inventory management: This practice will improve business operations and eventually help increase productivity.

Benefits of resource efficiency

Going for sustainable practices can help a business save money, stay competitive, and become more resilient. Here are more perks businesses enjoy when they become more resource-efficient:

• Lower business costs on operations
• Reduce water and energy consumption
• Improve overall environmental performance
• Boast of an improved brand image

The main benefit of improving resource efficiency is the positive impact on the environment. Doing good for the environment is a worthy investment because it’s an investment for the future.

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