Today, businesses and corporations bear much of the responsibility for environmental stewardship. However, sustainability is a team effort – it takes everyone’s commitment to truly make progress toward a greener world. Your customers are a key part of that. Let’s discuss ways to get your customers to support your sustainable business.
Educate & Inform
The best way to get your customers involved in your sustainability efforts is by educating them on the effects! Many people would love to support greener practices in theory but aren’t truly aware of the benefits or how their ‘small’ habits can make a big difference.
There are many ways to educate your customers about your sustainability efforts, such as displaying signs/reminders around your business, posting on social media, creating blog posts, and sending out emails or newsletters. Your actions can inspire many.
If you need some ideas, check out our blog!
Make it Easy
If the sustainable choice is the easiest, your customer will likely choose it. Here are some examples:
- Retail: Use reusable packaging and offer carbon-neutral shipping.
- Appliance store: If you sell energy-efficient appliances, put them front and center.
- Hotels: Give guests the option to skip daily cleaning or linen changes to conserve water and energy.
- Restaurants: Use reusable straws and to-go containers.
- Cafes and coffee shops: Give discounts to customers who bring reusable cups.
- Gyms: Install water refill stations instead of selling plastic water bottles.
- Venues: Offer digital tickets and invites instead of paper ones.
- Offices: Set printers to print double-sided automatically.
- Cleaners: Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies and reusable rags instead of paper towels.
- Laundromats: Opt for ENERGY STAR-certified washers and dryers and offer energy-saving tips to your customers.
- Construction: Offer sustainable building materials and educate clients about solar power.
Whatever you do, don’t charge more for sustainable options. Doing so can leave a bad taste in your customers’ mouths and turn them off to greener practices in general.
Incentivize Participation
It’s inherently human to think, ‘What’s in it for me?’ And while a healthier planet should be a good enough reason for anyone to get behind sustainability, it doesn’t hurt to sweeten the deal. Offering perks for your customers can help!
- Offer discounts for bringing reusable bags, using digital receipts, or choosing paperless billing. Not only does this benefit the planet and your customers, but your business also saves money! It’s a win-win-win.
- If you own a retail store, set up an eco-rewards program that offers double points for customers who buy sustainable products. And make sure that people know about it! Clearly label sustainable items and put up signs throughout the store detailing the rewards program.
- Run a ‘go green’ contest for customers. Have them post about their sustainability efforts and tag you on social media. Offer prizes like a gift card to your business, tickets to a local show or sports game, or an ENERGY STAR-certified TV – the possibilities are endless!
Show Off on Social
Speaking of social media, it’s an excellent tool for businesses to demonstrate their dedication to sustainability. Post energy-saving tips for your followers or highlight ways your business is going green. With consumers’ sustainability demands rising, these efforts could not only impress your current customers but bring in new ones, too.
If you collaborate with local environmental organizations or other sustainable businesses – such as supplying one of their products or using their packaging – be sure to share it! This can inspire your customers to join the movement as well.
Share Annual Progress
Results carry a lot of weight. When people can clearly see their efforts making a difference, it inspires them to do more. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to evaluate your progress each year and adjust your sustainability initiatives accordingly. Here are a few examples of stats you can share, depending on your sustainability efforts:
- Gallons of water saved
- Dollars saved on energy bills
- Pounds of materials recycled
- Pounds of plastic saved
- Dollars saved by customers
- Trees saved (by reducing paper use)
- Number of products made from recycled materials
- Volunteer hours dedicated to sustainable efforts/organizations
Additionally, it’s a great visual for customers if you can put these statistics in perspective using recognizable items or situations. For example: ‘Our company saved 22,000 gallons of water last year. That’s enough to fill the average swimming pool!’ Or ‘Last year, we saved five tons of plastic from the landfill – equivalent to the weight of an average adult elephant!’
If you’re just starting out, make sure to track your efforts so you can share the results later!
If you need additional assistance in becoming a more sustainable business or saving energy, the dedicated experts at UGI EnergyLink are here to help. Check out our Commercial Energy Guides or contact us today!