Importance of Investing in Sustainability efforts

At CPM we are committed to minimising our environmental footprint. We believe that sustainability is as much a part of our commitment to continuous innovation as improving our performance and services. We are always looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint, whether is in the office or in the field. We are continuously investing in hybrid and electric fleet options with plans to have up to 40% of our fleet fully electric by 2024. We are proud of our efforts to help promote a more sustainable company in the countries we operate in. If you would like to know more, contact us at info@cpmire.com.

In support of World Environment Day on June 5^th, check out our latest CPM blog on the importance of investing in sustainability efforts.

Environmental awareness is changing retail sector from the perspective of both the consumer and retailer. The increasing realisation of our ecological footprint has led consumers to re-evaluate their purchase habits and businesses to re-structure their sustainable efforts. Now, more than ever before, retailers and businesses are being called to make drastic changes in their methods and values to decrease their carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable world. It has become a priority that retailers incorporate initiatives that reflect the increasing consumer environmental efforts.

Why should retailers and businesses invest in sustainability?

green bin image

Environmental benefits & cutting costs

Everything from heating and packaging to marketing and values has some effect on the environment. It is important for businesses to be aware of their impact on the environment to make a difference. Especially in retail, there are so many opportunities for businesses to incorporate practices that are much more environmentally sustainable. Changing your energy consumption, whether it be a reduction or a more sustainable replacement, can cut your company costs. Businesses sometimes have a preconceived notion that sustainable practices are always more expensive and take more effort. However, simple changes such as reducing paper usage, eliminating plastic bags, and turning off computers and lights when they are not being used can reduce costs. Cutting down the energy usage is a great way for your business to increase profits while decreasing your carbon footprint.

Consumer expectations & brand loyalty

picture cloud for sustainability

Consumers today take into consideration the social responsibility initiatives of retailers and brands when making a purchase decision. They are increasingly likely to buy sustainable products and engage with brands that have strong environmental values. In fact, almost one half of Irish consumers said they would pay more for sustainable products (2019 PwC Irish Retail and Consumer Report). According to the February 2022 IBM Consumers & Sustainability survey, 93% of global respondents said the pandemic had influenced their views on sustainability. And over the past year, environmental issues have become even more important. Out of 16,000 global consumers found that more than half (51%) of respondents say environmental sustainability is more important to them today than it was and 49% of consumers said that they’ve paid a premium for products branded as sustainable or socially responsible in the last 12 months.

What can retailers and business do to be more sustainable?

Simple changes

Going back to the basics of ‘reducing, reusing, recycling’ in your offices, warehouses and stores can introduce a simple change that will make a big difference. You can reduce energy-usage by switching to environmentally friendly light bulbs as well as turning off computers, lights and heating when they are not actually needed. You can also reduce your waste production by recycling as much as possible and using as little paper as you can. Using less paper can reduce your business’s carbon footprint while increasing efficiency.

Plastic packaging: reduce, eliminate or replace

Plastic pollution is one of the main environmental concerns today. The average European emits approximately 175kg of packaging waste each year, with barely two-thirds of it being recycled. Packaging that cannot be replaced should be reused. Unilever and SC Johnson, for example, have begun to provide concentrated versions of their products that can be decanted into spray bottles at home. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have spent considerably in new technology to enhance drink dispensers, encouraging customers to bring their own bottles. In some instances, when the packaging was serving an important purpose, inventive design can achieve the same goal by a new approach. Carlsberg and Diageo, for example, have replaced the plastic rings that hold six-packs of beer with cardboard alternatives that hold the cans together. The basic technique to avoid packaging waste is to question if the packing is even necessary or could be replaced by biodegradable materials to reduce environmental damage (weforum.org, 2020).

Communicate your sustainable efforts externally & internally

It is important to communicate your business’s environmental values and sustainable efforts to consumers to increase transparency and trust. Consumers today are looking for brands with a strong and active sustainability mission. These sustainability efforts must be a true reflection of the company values and interests, and not just a marketing tactic to target the sustainability trend that is driven by environmentally conscious consumers. Having an honest focus on reducing the ecological footprint will strengthen the trust between the consumer and brands. Social media and blog posts are great tools to convey sustainable efforts and values to consumers, who are constantly seeking information on ecological initiatives as well as unique efforts to make a real impact. So why not make your environmental marketing bold enough to capture the attention of consumers, while ensuring your efforts are genuine?

hands holding young plant

It is also important to keep staff members informed of your company’s sustainability actions. As employees are the best spokespeople of your business, it’s crucial for them to be familiar with your environmental policy. Not only will this create trust within your company, but it will also have a positive impact in employees’ morale.

At CPM we are committed to minimising our environmental footprint. We believe that sustainability is as much a part of our commitment to continuous innovation as improving our performance and services. We are always looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint, whether is in the office or in the field. We are proud of our efforts to help promote a more sustainable company in the countries we operate in. If you would like to know more about our sustainability efforts, contact us at info@cpmire.com.