Top Eco-Friendly Moves Your Retail-Based Business Can Make

If you work in the retail industry, then you understand better than anyone just how competitive the market can be. With that said, companies are always looking for ways to stand out from the competition and create loyal customers. In today’s day and age, the environment is actually proving to be a pretty powerful marketing tool, as more and more companies look for eco-friendly moves that will not only benefit the environment but win the praise of customers.

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For those who operate a retail-based business and who are looking to make some eco-friendly moves in the New Year, here’s a look at some of the top ones you can consider.

Eco-Friendly Bags

One of the first steps you can take is to look into reusable bags and get rid of those bad-for-the-environment disposable plastic bags. Custom Earth Promos offers printed grocery bags made from recycled water bottles. You can go ahead and add your company logo, pictures, and whatever else you like to the bag and give customers something that they can feel good using. You can pick from a variety of sizes and opt for the wholesale version for larger, more cost-effective orders.

Get Rid of Those Old Lightbulbs

Another step to take in the New Year is to change out all those old lightbulbs and replace them with CFL or LED lights. Both of these are more eco-friendly choices, they last longer, and they use a fraction of the energy. Because they last so long, you will find you don’t have to replace them as often, which is just another way you’ll be saving money with this step.

Switch to E-Receipts

Printing receipts day in and day out can be quite hard on the environment too. In reality, most customers probably end up throwing them out the moment they leave the store. Receipts can’t be done away with, but you can look into offering e-receipts instead. Customers can then have a copy of their receipt and print it only if they need it.

Install Hand Dryers

If you offer public and employee washrooms in your retail storefront, now is the time to consider installing hand dryers and getting rid of paper towel waste. These hand dryers will end up saving you money in the long-run, and will drastically reduce the amount of mess and waste in the washrooms.

Set Interior and Exterior Lights on Timers

Instead of having your lights on inside and outside all day and all night, set them on timers so you can reduce the amount of energy you are using.

Make Sure Your Efforts are Known

After taking all these eco-friendly steps the final tip is to make sure your efforts are known. Use your social network channels to discuss the efforts your business is taking to help protect the environment. Customers who care about these kinds of issues will be that much more likely to return to your store.

As a retail business, there are a number of steps you can take to do your part where protecting the environment is concerned.