5 Earth Day Tips For Retailers To Begin Implementing Today

As a small retailer, it’s easier to be “green” than you may think. In fact, there’s even a term known as “green retailing”, which identifies both what you sell and how you sell it. But even without selling green focused items, you can still aim to be green in how you manage your store, your store’s waste and much, much more. To help, consider the tips below.

1. Incorporate a recycling program at your store. Encourage your employees to get on board with this, as well as welcome your customers to, as well. From employee lunch waste to product packing materials, there are many items throughout every day that can be recycled… if you incorporate a program that makes this easy for you, your team and your customers to do.

2. Use Earth-friendly packaging materials such as craft paper or newspaper. The reality is, packaging materials are a must for retailers and consumers alike, but what you use to package your items can vary. As a general rule? Avoid Styrofoam packing peanuts and Styrofoam in general. There are many more Earth-friendly options, often of which you may already have in your store available for you to use. Another tip? Re-use boxes to eliminate unnecessary waste.

3. If you burn, or sell, candles in your store, make sure they are natural soy or beeswax. These candles are non-toxic and burn cleaner than paraffin, without adding toxic carcinogens into the air you and your customer breathe. They are also bio-degradable and support the U.S. agricultural industry.

4. Provide customers with bags that are reusable and welcome them to use their own. By now, we all know that plastic bags are bad in so many ways including polluting the environment, littering the landscape, killing animals, and requiring petroleum for production. Even though they can be cheaper to buy, more durable, and more sanitary than some of the alternatives, plastic bags are not a good idea. In the long run, offering your own reusable bag, or rewarding customers to provide their own, is definitely becoming the norm.

5. Buy from local companies and artists. In addition to cutting down on the pollution of transportation costs, many of these artists will make organic products which gives you a green bonus. Remember that organic products aren’t just food items. Almost any clothing, accessory, or soft-goods’ item can be made from natural materials nowadays.

And finally, while so much of what we do as business owners may not be Earth friendly, recognize that what is Earth friendly is well worth doing. Getting programs in place such as recycling or offering reusable bags may take some upfront effort, but the long-term reward is much more grand. Mother Nature – and likely, many of your customers – will thank you.