How to grow your business while protecting the planet

Growing sustainably is the right thing to do, and it also makes business sense. At Mumita Holdings we have seen careful environmental practice lead to new ideas, lower costs and customers who care about the planet. What follows is our guide to growing a business while shrinking its footprint.

Build a sustainable supply chain

Start with your supply chain. Look at each part of it and you will find room to improve:

• Source locally where you can. Shorter trips mean lower emissions and, for farm and food businesses especially, fresher products.
• Work with suppliers who share your values. Suppliers who take sustainability seriously carry your impact beyond your own operations.
• Track where things come from. Customers want to know. Technology that follows a product from source to consumer builds trust and shows you where to improve.

Adopt circular economy principles

Moving away from "take, make, throw away" can open new income and cut waste:

• Study your waste. One business's waste can be another's raw material. Look through your production process for by-products with value.
• Design for recycling. Think about the whole life of a product when you design it, so it is easier to repair, reuse or recycle.
• Close the loop. Bring used products or materials back into production where you can, which lowers both cost and environmental impact.

Invest in green technology

Careful investment in sustainable technology can pay back well:

• Upgrade for efficiency. Modern equipment often uses less energy and performs better, and the savings on utility bills usually cover the cost.
• Switch to renewables. Solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable sources cut both your carbon footprint and your long-term energy bills.
• Manage resources smartly. Use technology that saves water, reduces waste and makes operations more efficient.

Develop eco-friendly products and services

More and more customers prefer products that are kind to the environment:

• Assess the full life cycle. Understand a product's impact from raw material to disposal, and look for where it can improve.
• Say what makes it sustainable. Explain the eco-friendly side of your products clearly, in your marketing and on your labels.
• Keep innovating. Set aside resources for new products and services that tackle environmental problems in your industry.

Make sustainability part of your culture

Lasting change means building sustainability into how the organisation works:

• Set measurable goals. Agree clear, time-bound targets and report on progress, inside and outside the company.
• Involve your staff. Bring in people at every level through training, suggestion schemes and recognition for green ideas.
• Lead by example. Leaders should show their commitment in what they do and decide.

Measure and share your impact

Measure your impact to manage it:

• Choose the right measures. Pick indicators that fit both your business goals and your environmental priorities.
• Report regularly. Being open about successes and setbacks builds credibility.
• Get certified. Independent checks such as organic certification, Fair Trade or B Corp status back up your claims.

Profit and the planet can go together

The idea that caring for the environment holds a business back is out of date. In our experience, sustainability work that is well planned brings new ideas, lowers operating costs, strengthens the brand and opens new markets.

Treat it as part of your core strategy, not a compliance exercise. The world cares more each year about environmental impact, and a company that plans for that is set up for long-term success.