Company actions, keys to reduce environmental impact

It’s not just a premise. It is a field of action towards which companies must aim today, because it is also about guaranteeing the resources of the future of any business. It’s called sustainable development, and it encompasses the environmental, economic and social.

For this reason, companies must start environmental projects that in turn reduce the global ecological impact, which is also caused by the generation of pollutants, by not reusing energy, among others, says environmentalist Xavier Salgado, president of the Environment organization. Sustainable.

Companies must carry out sustainable actions to be sustainable (that last over time). One option is to reduce the environmental impact, using materials or processes that wear out or pollute less. Also, work on energies that are reused or that reduce the environmental impact that exists due to CO2 or carbon dioxide. And Information Technology (ICT) are allies in these cases, says Salgado. As an example are electric cars; the 15-minute cities, where the business sector (with an environmental vision) invests in businesses and services so that users find ‘everything’ in these ‘mini-cities’ and can get around on foot or using bicycles.

train workers

In sustainability, we can talk about process redesigns by companies, depending on the line of business of each one. It’s a technical thing. But one can also talk about the creation of an environmental culture linked to education and changes in habits, and that can be applied by all workers, says environmentalist and communicator Andrea Rendón, co-founder of KLOK, Creator of environmental culture.

Companies must also share information within companies, with workers. And the education and training of all employees is vital.

Three important sources for habit changes:

1. Responsible management of waste, which includes recycling and what is considered garbage.

2. Responsible consumption, where each citizen makes a conscious decision (with prior knowledge) about the product or service. This includes the RRRs, which are reduce, reuse, reject, and even recycle. For this you have to know where the product comes from; what cost it has had for the planet; what ways of feeding myself can be better for the planet; what ways to dress, to manage my health; transportation, among others, explains Andrea Rendón, an environmentalist.

3. Responsible management of natural resources. This includes energies, water, air, everything that the Earth gives. That is why it is important to know what the dynamics of nature are, which allow access to these resources that are needed every day.

Actions to follow:

• Bring your own thermos so you don’t have to buy bottles of water. The same with cups or mugs.

• Do not use disposable covers, opt for reusable ones.

• Find a balance between food and the impact it generates on the environment. Opt for what generates the least environmental impact.

• A more considerate planetary diet, which translates into trying to buy directly from the farmer, producer, entrepreneur.

Campaigns that can be implemented by businesses and their employees

• Contributions or projects with social-environmental purposes, such as reforestation, ecological activities and others that help reduce the environmental impact.

• Promote internal groups or volunteers to make tree planting brigades; cleanings; to give talks in communities that do not have access to education, and encourage more recycling and reuse of resources. This must be permanent, says environmentalist Xavier Salgado.

• Promote the automation of energies, so that everything electrical, such as the lights, are turned off as soon as the workers leave.