For businesses both big and small, shifting the focus to more eco-minded practices is a winning scenario for everyone involved. Take Small Business Grant recipient Nancy Mac of Freon Collective, for example. Freon Collective was born out of a desire to create beautiful and minimal lifestyle goods that have a focus on zero waste and being eco-conscious. All of their products are made with materials sourced from overstock, off cuts, or materials that are organic and chemical-free. Have you been thinking about ways to incorporate green business practices into your small business? Nancy is sharing three of her go-to tips to get you started.
Nancy: These days, consumers are taking more notice than ever to businesses with environmentally sustainable practices. As a small-business owner, I’ve taken a number of efforts to make my business more eco-friendly, from the low-waste products I offer to the operating changes I’ve made in my business. Here are three tips you can implement into your business to make a lasting and sustainable stamp in the marketplace!
1. Eliminate Disposable Products
Consider packaging your products in reusable packaging, such as fabric bags that can be used for other purposes. Freon Collective cotton rounds are packaged in a mesh bag, which not only provides customers with a way to wash their used cotton rounds, but is a part of the packaging that can be reused again and again. Consider offering dual purpose and functional packaging—it really does elevate your products and helps with eliminating disposable packaging.
2. Go Green!
For my business, I use only paper packaging and labels. I’ve eliminated plastic completely, and have taken to using compostable mailers when shipping products. Consider sending digital order receipts instead of printing them out, and marketing through social media and newsletters instead of paper mailers. All of these small changes can make the biggest difference when making your business more sustainable!
3. Repurpose Everything
We use almost every last bit of our materials—and that goes for scrap fabric too! When we have scraps, they either get turned into smaller-batch cotton rounds, or we donate them to sewing programs or schools that can put the materials into use. There are so many zero-waste collaborations and initiatives that will take fabric scraps and use them for pet beds, animal shelter toys, and of course, donating any materials you don’t have a use for is a great way to collaborate with other small businesses that might use them.
I love being able to offer low-waste products to my customers. Spoonflower has allowed me to bring in organic and eco-friendly fabrics to my business, which is just as important as the three tips I’ve given above. At the end of the day, any small environmentally conscious changes you can make will help your business be more sustainable!
About the Guest Author
Nancy is a small-business owner based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She owns Freon Collective, an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle brand, in addition to providing manufacturing and production services for local businesses in Toronto. Visit Freon Collective online to learn more about her business or follow Freon Collective on Instagram (@freoncollective) to see the products she offers.
Thanks so much Nancy for sharing your tips. I usually keep every piece of my sewing, even the littlest thread :), to use as stuffing later on.
You gave me more ideas to work with.
These are great tips, and something to keep in mind as we add more physical products to our shop. Love it.