Making Workplaces Sustainable

Sustainability doesn’t have to mean grand gestures or expensive overhauls. Often, it's the everyday decisions that make the biggest difference. Whether you’re a small start-up or a major organisation, looking after the planet while running your business just makes sense. Customers care. Employees care. And frankly, the planet needs us to care.

So, what does it actually mean to run a sustainable business? And how can companies – big or small – make a real difference?

What are sustainable business practices?

Sustainable business practices are about making choices that are good for both your business and the environment. It's not just about cutting carbon – it’s about reducing waste, supporting people, and thinking long-term.

In short, it’s about doing the right thing – and doing it smartly.

Why bother?

Aside from the obvious environmental reasons, sustainability brings real business benefits:

• Cost savings – Lower energy bills, less waste, and more efficient processes save money.
• Reputation boost – People want to support businesses that care.
• Employee engagement – A clear sustainability strategy can attract (and keep) values-driven talent.
• Resilience – Sustainable businesses are often better prepared for future challenges.

10 ways to make your business more sustainable

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start small and build from there. Here are ten practical ideas, each backed up with examples of how businesses have made a difference.

1. Switch to a renewable energy supplier
   Switch your electricity supply to a green energy provider using wind, solar or hydro sources.
   Example: You could move to Octopus Energy, making sure all your electricity is 100% renewable.
   
   
2. Cut down on single-use plastics
   Replace plastic cups, cutlery, packaging, and pens with reusable or compostable alternatives.
   Example: Swap plastic water bottles for reusable branded flasks, saving over 1,000 bottles a year.
   
   
3. Encourage hybrid or remote working
   Supporting flexible working reduces commuting emissions and improves wellbeing.
   Example: Introduce a “2 days in, 3 days out” policy, cutting carbon output and boosting productivity.
   
   
4. Go paperless where possible
   Use digital contracts, timesheets, and payslips to reduce paper waste.
   Example: Go fully digital using Xero and DocuSign, and slash paper use by 80%.
   
   
5. Work with local suppliers
   Choosing local printers, caterers, and couriers reduces transport emissions and supports the community.
   Example: Use a local eco-friendly printer for in-person events, cutting delivery emissions and turnaround times.
   
   
6. Offer staff incentives for green travel
   Provide Cycle to Work schemes, public transport passes, or EV charging at the office.
   Example: Reward employees monthly for walking, cycling, or using public transport.
   
   
7. Track and report your carbon footprint
   Use tools like Ecologi or Giki Zero to measure and reduce your carbon impact.
   Example: Offset monthly team emissions through Ecologi and share a live tracker on your website.
   
   
8. Create a sustainability team or lead
   Appoint a champion or team to push forward green goals and ideas.
   Example: Form a “Green Champions” ERG who run initiatives like meat-free Mondays and recycling audits.
   
   
9. Reduce waste and increase recycling
   Set up clear recycling bins, donate old tech, and avoid over-ordering supplies.
   Example: Introduce a three-bin system and donate old laptops to charity.
   
   
10. Build sustainability into your culture and values
    Make sustainability part of your team talks, onboarding, and comms.
    Example: Add a sustainability statement to all job ads and client proposals, attracting like-minded candidates.

Don’t forget the people part

Sustainability isn’t just about the environment. It’s also about social value – how you support your employees, contribute to your community, and build an inclusive workplace.

Fair pay, mental health support, diverse hiring practices – these are all part of building a business that’s truly sustainable.

The bottom line

Sustainable business practices aren’t just good for the planet — they’re good for business too. It’s about thinking ahead, making smarter choices, and leaving things better than you found them.

At Morgan Hunt, we have a dedicated Green Team whose sole mission is making sure our business stays truly environmentally sustainable. From our bike to work scheme to ethical printing, recycling, waste management, and vehicle replacement policies, we’re committed to doing our bit — and more.

We carefully measure our carbon footprint and publicly report on our progress. Plus, we’re proud to be ISO 14001 accredited for our environmental strategy, showing we’re serious about continuous improvement.

Sustainability for us isn’t just about the environment — it’s about social responsibility too. We’re passionate about supporting our communities, promoting fair practices, and making a positive impact wherever we can. To see how we do this, take a look at our Social Responsibility approach.

If you want to see our full Carbon Reduction Plan and find out more about how we’re working towards a greener future, check it out here: Morgan Hunt Carbon Reduction Plan.