10 Sustainable Marketing Practices For A Meaningful Brand

As a business owner, one of the most significant ways you can reduce your impact on the environment is by looking at your marketing practices.

SUSTAINABLE MARKETINGMARKETING TIPS

Zara Nethersole

6/24/2022

Let's explain sustainable marketing and why companies must incorporate sustainable practices into their business model.

I will then discuss ways your business can reduce its environmental impact, including reducing waste, recycling and reusing materials and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Throughout this blog, I will explain how some companies have already incorporated these techniques into their business models.

Sustainability is a hot topic in the marketing world. Companies are increasingly looking at integrating sustainability into their marketing strategy, but how can you do this effectively?

Sustainable marketing is using marketing practices that do not negatively impact the planet or its resources. Instead, sustainable marketing strategies help companies create a mutually beneficial relationship between the business and its environment.

Why should companies incorporate sustainable practices into their business model?

Because it makes good business sense. If a company wants to grow its customer base and continue attracting new customers, it must operate environmentally responsibly. It does not use unsustainable practices like resource extraction or waste disposal. It does not use unethical services such as enslaved people or forced labour.

Sustainable marketing helps companies build trust with consumers by operating ethically and responsibly. In turn, consumers are more likely to continue purchasing from these brands because they know they support ethical practices.

Achieving success in today's competitive marketplace is more than just marketing your products and services — it's also about promoting yourself as an ethical and sustainable business. While some people see sustainability as an added cost or inconvenience, others recognise the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.

  1. Think about the environment when it comes to advertising and marketing.

  2. Consider using recycled materials for printing your advertisements.

  3. Always try to choose an eco-friendly mode of transportation such as public transportation or biking instead of driving a car every day (or even just one day a week)

  4. Create eco-friendly ads with little environmental impact (such as using recycled paper).

  5. Create ads that will last longer than one use or season so that they don't have to be thrown away or destroyed after one use (such as reusable posters).

  6. Donate unused materials from previous campaigns or events so that other companies or organisations can reuse them for their promotions (such as donating old posters or flyers).

  7. Choose sustainable suppliers who use eco-friendly practices, such as recycled materials or renewable energy sources, wherever possible.

  8. Support local communities by sourcing materials locally or investing in community projects through charity work or sponsorship schemes

  9. Consider how you can help reduce your clients' carbon footprint through transportation or waste disposal services (e.g., recycling programs).

  10. Switch to LED lights in your office space

One example of how companies incorporate sustainable practices is Lego. They stated on their website, "We want to play our part in building a sustainable future and making a positive impact on the planet our children will inherit."

They also stated that by 2030 they will make their materials sustainable and aim that by 2025 all LEGO packaging will be made from renewable or recycled materials. They will also reduce their CO2 impact by using renewable energy. (Environment - Sustainability - LEGO.com US. https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/environment)

Another company is Apple- Apple launched an Environmental Progress Report that stated, "Whether it's using more recycled materials in our products, or transitioning our supply chain to 100 per cent clean energy…." They have a target for their carbon footprint to be net-zero by 2030 — including our supply chain and the use of our products. (https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_Environmental_Progress_Report_2022.pdf)

In conclusion, companies must choose sustainable products, services and suppliers. They should be transparent about their use of green products and their environmental impacts. They should also work to educate the public on environmental issues and help the public adopt environmental best practices in the home, office and school.

Now is the time to get ahead of your competitors and incorporate sustainable marketing practices into your business model to reduce its environmental impact, including reducing waste, recycling and reusing materials and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To learn more about how you can implement these practices in your business, download the Sustainable marketing infographic and see where your company fits.