How to make a company sustainable? Adopt 8 simple gestures!

A company that adopts sustainable actions is one that cares about its business chain and implements conscious and innovative actions. As a result, besides presenting a market differentiator and standing out against the competition, it also generates profits for the company and benefits for society. But how to make a company sustainable?  

First of all, thinking about sustainability in the corporate world means defending strategies of energy efficiency and actions that ensure the maintenance not only of work but of life on the planet. In this way, the company has a social role and the mission of providing positive impacts on society.  

To learn how to make a company sustainable, keep reading and discover 8 simple gestures you can apply in your professional environment.

How to make a company sustainable

What is your company's role in society? Your company represents an important actor in maintaining society. This is because it creates jobs, feeds the economy and meets the demand for products and services. In addition, it must be responsible for the environment and act against the growing scarcity of natural resources.  

Thus, to understand how to make a company sustainable and results‑driving, simply integrate the three pillars of sustainability:  

• The social;

• The environmental;

• And the economic.

This integration may seem complicated, but it is simpler than you imagine! With a few strategies it is possible to transform the work routine and change habits harmful to the environment. The result of this effort will reflect both internally and externally, with reduced costs, waste, image risk and optimized interpersonal relationships.

Moreover, adopting sustainable attitudes requires little investment and can generate profit for the company. A study conducted by the U.S. agency Union + Webster showed that 87% of Brazilians prefer to consume products and services from sustainable companies.  

Therefore, check out the 8 simple and effective gestures on how to make a company sustainable. Also feel free to get inspired by these ideas and, perhaps, create business opportunities!

Gesture 1: Eliminate disposables

The consumption of disposable cups within companies represents not only a financial waste but also an ecological one. According to the UN, 80% of ocean waste is made up of single‑use plastics, i.e., cups, straws and disposable utensils. In addition, the same entity states that the damage to marine ecosystems already totals US$ 8 billion.  

With this in mind, it is important to encourage your employees to change habits and adopt actions such as bringing mugs, bottles and washable utensils. Instead of buying plastic cups every month, how about gifting your staff a nice mug with your company’s branding?  

Gesture 2: Rethink water and electricity use

The first thought of anyone seeking to make a company sustainable is to save water and electricity, right? But we are not only talking about turning off the lights when leaving a room or shutting the tap while washing your hands. There are simple actions your company can adopt to contribute to reducing environmental impacts.  

An interesting example is to rethink wall colors. This simple change can help spaces become bright and naturally illuminated. In addition, installing pressure regulators and timers on taps helps reduce unnecessary water consumption.  

Another tip: replace incandescent bulbs with LED fluorescent lamps, which are not only more economical but also have a lifespan 50 times longer. Not to mention that the heat transferred by an LED lamp to the environment is lower, meaning you will spend less on climate control.  

Finally, replace old industrial motors and machines, as high‑performance ones save 20% to 30% of energy. It is worth highlighting that, although investing in equipment represents an expense for your company, the return on investment (ROI) is positive and usually occurs in the short term.  

Gesture 3: Implement electronic documentation

Nowadays, a lot is said about unnecessary plastic use, but we must not forget that, in the corporate world, waste is mostly composed of paper. One way to reduce paper waste is to adopt electronic documentation. Electronic filing systems are good for the environment and also provide more security and confidentiality for the company.  

In addition, it is important to encourage your employees to use the printer consciously and to reuse discarded documents for notes and drafts. By promoting these simple gestures, you make considerable progress in your quest to make a company sustainable.  

Gesture 4: Control waste

To make a company sustainable, it is not enough to install colored trash bins for recyclable materials. Besides a constant awareness effort with employees, it is necessary to create efficient waste control and management strategies that benefit both the company and the environment.  

To do this, seek partnerships with recycling associations and cooperatives. This way you collaborate with society, ensure the recovery of separated waste and also create possibilities for campaigns and actions that make your company increasingly sustainable.  

Gesture 5: Create alternative transportation initiatives

One of the biggest environmental concerns we have today is reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. It is no secret that car use accounts for a large share of these emissions every day.

Therefore, encourage your employees to adopt carpooling, bicycles and public transport. And to give them even more motivation, how about creating a mileage program that rewards them for using alternative transportation? This action, besides integrating the team, will be of great value for environmental preservation.

Gesture 6: Seek sustainable suppliers

One of the main points of how to make a company sustainable is the partnership it creates with suppliers who are also engaged in the same goals. This is because a company that seeks sustainable partnerships shows its concern not only with the business’s production chain but also with its impact on nature.  

Thus, before signing a contract with a supplier, research the company's principles and values. Also, check whether it has environmental certifications and partnerships with local producers and merchants. In this way you do your part and also indirectly help move the local economy and develop small businesses.  

Gesture 7: Include your employees

For all the simple gestures on how to make a company sustainable to work, it is important to involve your employees in the development of strategies, that is, even before implementing the actions in the company.  

A good way to start is by creating co‑creation workshops, where various areas of the company can participate. Present the objectives the company aims to achieve and open space to hear suggestions. Thus, besides creativity worked on together, the chance of guaranteeing positive results is much higher, since responsibility will be shared by everyone from the start.

Gesture 8: Move to the Free Energy Market

The last gesture on how to make a company sustainable is an action that delivers practical results, providing a significant saving that ranges from 20% to 40%, depending on the case.  

Therefore, if your company has a contracted energy demand above 500 kW (or if the sum of all units under the same CNPJ root reaches that amount), consider migrating to the Free Energy Market.

The Free Contracting Environment, besides offering advantages such as free negotiation of contractual terms, also represents a sustainable alternative. This is because it is possible to contract energy from renewable sources, reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions. In other words, you can contract clean energy for your company, with savings.

With more than 15 years in the market, Serena is a pioneer in wind, solar and digital energy, offering customized solutions for consumers who seek clean and affordable energy. 

Capable of providing up to 30% discount on the electricity bill, the contract can be made digitally or with a team of specialists, without bureaucracy and with the choice of the ideal plan for you. 

Calculate your discount!