How Camberwell businesses can become more environmentally sustainable

Camberwell locals, now more than ever, are tailoring their lifestyles and shopping habits towards sustainable and ethical practices, actively seeking out businesses that go the extra mile to reduce their carbon footprint.

As a business owner, that’s where you come in!

By implementing a handful of simple, environmentally friendly adjustments, not only will your business benefit both the community and the planet, it’ll spark that extra bit of recognition — and ultimately attract more sales.

Here are some steps you can take to make your business more environmentally sustainable:

Source sustainable energy

Nobody is saying that you need to completely redecorate your beloved Camberwell store and entirely overhaul the aesthetics to make a sustainable change — sometimes, creating an environmentally-friendly business is invisible to the consumer entirely.

By installing water tanks for flushing toilets or switching your building’s energy provider to one that offers clean energy sources, you’ll be paving the way for a healthier environment.

Or go one step further: rather than switching energy providers, investigate the validity of installing solar panels to power your business. With a number of government solar rebates available, the benefits quickly outweigh the costs.

Switch to sustainable options

Next time you do an inventory check, be conscious of which single-use materials are essential (and therefore, which are not).

Is your business still buying and using plastic bags? Are you still offering plastic straws, or single-use plates and cutlery to your customers?

If Camberwell’s business owners can eliminate these one-time items and encourage customers to bring reusable containers, both the environment and your accountant will thank you.

However, if you don’t want to scrap old habits entirely, make the switch to more sustainable options such as paper straws and compostable cutlery.

To enact real change, you may want to consider adding a surcharge for non-sustainable materials — or, on the flip side, offer a discount to customers who bring their own mug, straw, or shopping bags.

Reduce and reuse

Rapid consumption — whether paper, plastics, water, or electricity — is far from efficient, from both a sustainability and financial perspective.

Take a dishwasher for example: while the initial investment might seem unnecessary, not only will it save water compared to handwashing, resulting in a much more pleasing water bill, but it will also save time, allowing employees to focus their attention on more important areas like delighting customers.

For a few quick suggestions, consider using both sides of paper before chucking it in the recycling bin (or just switch entirely to digital), repurpose cardboard boxes for storage, or even source goods from op shops before buying brand new.

Sustainability Victoria also runs the Love Food Hate Waste program, which gives businesses the chance to reduce food waste and save money, improve efficiency, and reduce their environmental footprint. The program guides businesses in tracking where food waste is happening in their business, planning how to take action to prevent food waste, and measuring success.

Recycle

Plenty of leading businesses in the Camberwell shopping precinct are engaged in sustainable recycling programs, an effort nothing short of fantastic. Of course, in the name of the environment, there’s always room to improve.

Not sure what to do with all those unused plastic bags, bread bags, and cereal box liners? Both Coles and Woolworths in Camberwell participate in REDcycle, a program that accepts all kinds of soft plastics. Simply collect yours and drop them in the designated bins in-store.

Did you know that old computers, TVs, lightbulbs and power tools are recyclable too? Do your bit to recycle these items properly by dropping them off at the e-waste facility at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre on Riversdale Rd.

Make the sustainable switch

As sustainable behaviour becomes ingrained in the Camberwell shopper’s mindset, businesses are realising that the time for change is upon us.

Whether you start small with a simple composting program or reinvent the wheel with a new solar energy system, every bit counts.

Your customers will appreciate the extra effort, and so will Mother Nature.