WHY DOES SUSTAINABILITY MATTER?

It almost shouldn’t even be a question. But its one we hear still so lets dive into it!

The future of sustainability and managing our waste efficiently requires dedicated action by government regulators, businesses in all sectors, and communities around the globe. We’ve got to get better at it. Quickly.

 

Closer to home, there’s still much more to be done in Australia to achieve a nett zero waste position and a true circular economy. At Nationwide Waste, we are champions of sustainability, from educating our clients and their staff about recycling, through to the provision of waste management services and a tailored implementation plan.

We help our business partners make strategic decisions that will take their waste management practices from good to great and support the environment at the same time. 

 

Beyond merely protecting the environment, sustainable waste management has several advantages for consumers and businesses alike. Adopting sustainability not only helps organisations meet social and financial goals, but it also conforms to society’s expectations.

 

Businesses that undertake and actively exhibit a commitment to sustainability generally see an increase in employee engagement and retention rates because their workforce feels they are also contributing to the betterment of the planet. Research also indicates that more engaged employees improve organisational outcomes, and as efficiency rises and waste decreases, business operating costs reduce in turn. Plastic recycling services, bulk waste management, and industrial bin services are all integral to an effective,  sustainable waste management solution. Our team can assess your current practices and make recommendations for best practices.   

 

To complement this focus on sustainability, businesses that put sustainability first gain the trust and loyalty of their customers because people are naturally drawn to businesses that share their values. Transparently adopting sustainability principles helps businesses exceed customer expectations, build brand affinity, and foster long-term commitment. Businesses can benefit from Nationwide’s assistance not only in improving their sustainability, but also in documenting and communicating this across the business and to broader stakeholder groups. Reach out to our expert waste team now to learn more about partnering with us and planning your path to sustainability. 

 

SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS: BRIDGING COMMERCIAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS

Businesses can gain both socially and commercially from sustainable waste management practices. In terms of business, it improves profitability by lowering operating costs, increasing productivity, and reducing risks. Socially, it strengthens bonds with clients and communities, increases staff involvement, and improves brand reputation, all of which makes for a healthier planet. There’s a number of benefits for a business that engages with sustainability and actively promotes this within their organisation: 

 

• Legal compliance with local regulations to avoid fines or penalties

• Positive impact on public health and well-being through reduced pollution

• Lower operational costs and increased efficiency

• Overall business risks and liabilities reduced

• Improved employee engagement and retention

• Enhanced brand reputation and customer loyalty

• Strengthened relationships with customers and communities

• Job creation in sustainable industries contributes to the local economy

• Encouragement of innovation and development of sustainable technologies

• Long-term preservation of natural resources for future generations

 

Engaging your employees is a crucial factor in creating a long term sustainable business. Identifying ways to involve every employee, from top executives to front line workers, in daily corporate sustainability initiatives is essential to building a thriving and sustainable business. Aligning corporate values with those of your employees is the first and most important step. Businesses can apply eight strategies to assist in bridging the gap between an employee’s personal values and the company’s business procedures, as outlined below:

 

Source: ssir.org

 

Ensuring that your employees understand the economic benefits that come with sustainability is also important. Encouraging staff members to understand the financial benefits of conducting business in a more sustainable manner can be challenging, but it’s essential to avoid the misconception that sustainability is only about “doing good” rather than “doing well.” Sustainability affects every facet of an organisation, including procurement and energy use. Investing in sustainability education and developing procedures and systems that facilitate employees’ integration of sustainability into better business choices are crucial for fostering a “can do” mentality and attitude amongst your staff. Many sustainability initiatives require specialised knowledge and expertise, which might involve talking to suppliers about sustainable sourcing or using an eco-efficiency tool to evaluate new products and services. Being a quality accredited waste management company, our team of Nationwide experts is ideally placed with the expertise and innovative knowledge to set your business apart. 

 

Make every employee a champion for sustainability! One thing unites all prosperous businesses: effective leadership. And nowhere is that more crucial than in building a long-term sustainable business. As John Brock, the previous CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises, stated: 

 

“Frankly, the single most important thing in my view is leadership. You’ve got to have somebody who believes in it [sustainability]. It’s the CEO. That’s the number one. And then you’ve got to have an executive leadership team that is equally committed to it.”

John Brock, CEO Coca-Cola Enterprises

 

Engaging top executives in sustainability matters not only bridges the gap between their personal beliefs and what they believe to be the company’s best interests, but it also encourages innovative approaches to strategic waste management problem-solving. Incorporating employees in the co-creation of sustainable practices is a crucial approach to integrating sustainability into a business. Implementing staff initiatives is one approach to achieving this. First and foremost, senior management should communicate to their team that when someone has an innovative concept or idea, money for sustainability projects is budgeted for and can be made readily available. The incentive and engagement factors alone, will bring rewards! As a company that recycles pallets regularly for our clients, there’s definitely opportunities for businesses that have bulk wood recycling or timber waste to implement initiatives to upcycle, recycle, and be creative with solutions for more sustainability within an organisation.  

 

SHOWCASING SUSTAINABILITY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR BUSINESS

Progress on important sustainability metrics is always worth tracking and sharing. Individuals aspire to be successful in the areas where they are evaluated. Therefore, it makes sense that businesses create metrics to monitor the advancement of their sustainability strategy, which they subsequently communicate to staff members and other stakeholders outside of the organisation. Metrics aren’t the only tool for drawing attention, though. Signage and symbols are also crucial. Take the example of Marks & Spencer, who has signage urging staff members to use the stairs instead of the lift, even if it’s just for a short distance. Implementing hand dryers that use air rather than disposable paper towels and other options. 

 

“Many hands to heal the planet”

 

When targets are met or achievements are obtained, it’s critical to celebrate success and maintain high visibility across the business. This adds powerful support to the strategy that sustainability accomplishments truly matter to your business. To encourage employees to achieve goals and targets, they must believe they play an important part in the process and be recognised for it.

 

Their dedication and sense of belonging to the business will be strengthened by it! The Stanford Social Innovation Review has delved deep into the world of corporate sustainability. Similarly, at Nationwide we assist our clients in bringing about positive change and are dedicated to environmentally responsible and sustainable operations. We offer advice and support through changing business practices, lowering environmental impact, and offering transparency across the whole product life cycle. Just a few of the reasons we recently won the Telstra Sustainability Award for Best of Business. 

 

ENGAGED EMPLOYEES WANT LEADERS TO TAKE ACTION

Although recent research indicates that leaders might be doing more to engage their entire staff about the need for action in sustainable waste management, employees with significant environmental knowledge can play a crucial role in driving corporate sustainability objectives. The younger generation tends to think of themselves as powerful agents of change in the workplace. The most recent Gen Z and Millennial survey by Deloitte found that 64% of participants think they have the ability to lead organisational change and that their companies are receiving and implementing feedback. The survey included 8,000 millennials and over 14,000 Gen Zs (adults between the ages of 18 and 40) from 44 different countries. This indicates that a large number of young workers are entering a new job with high environmental awareness as well as the expectation that their employers will listen to and act on their suggestions.

 

Even though sustainability initiatives are becoming more popular, most young employees feel that their employer is still not doing enough to address climate change and sustainability.

 

Organisations can improve their profile with employees by regularly communicating their commitment to climate action, implementing real, significant changes to the way they operate, and funding staff learning and development programmes that encourage participation in the sustainability discussion. Businesses should involve employees actively in their climate and sustainability initiatives and provide them the chance to voice their opinions in forums and conversations that lead to positive policy changes.

 

Employee-driven projects, like increasing recycling or doing away with single-use plastics, should be encouraged and supported at every level of your business. Setting aside budgets to purchase segregated bins or a machine to bale plastic and cardboard on site can be a small but integral step to improving your sustainability.  

 

THE RELEVANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR CONSUMERS

There are several important reasons why customers gravitate towards sustainable businesses. First of all, they feel they can contribute and bring about positive change by supporting sustainable businesses in a way that is in line with their own values and environmental priorities. Second, as businesses that prioritise sustainability are more likely to place a high value on quality and innovation, sustainable methods often result in superior products and services. Finally, consumers actively contribute to efforts to protect the environment and build a better future for generations to come by supporting sustainable businesses. 

 

As we know,  consumers value sustainable businesses’ honesty and transparency, since it builds loyalty and trust in your brand. Ensuring you are making the right decision and disposing of your waste ethically and sustainably is paramount. Whether you need assistance with hazardous or prescribed waste services, grease trap waste removal, or commercial pest control strategies, we are your trusted partner to make it happen. Get in touch with our team today for the growth and success of your business, your people, and the planet.  

 

Some of the other services offered by Nationwide include:

Hazardous waste disposal

Liquid waste removal

Grease trap cleaning

Clinical waste disposal

Waste management Melbourne

Waste management Sydney

Waste management Brisbane

Bin hire Sydney

Hygiene services

Secure document destruction