Plastic...it’s a wrap

Did you see what I did there? ??over the last nine months we have been supporting retail, hospitality and leisure businesses through a recovery programme jointly funded by the BEC and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. It’s been interesting times we have met over three hundred businesses all of whom have different issues around supporting their business survival and recovery.

The one thing they all have in common is that their costs have gone up, but their customer base may have shrunk or has remained static. That will come as no surprise with the ongoing pandemic impacts and now the sad news from Ukraine.

We have been collaborating with our colleagues in LBBD, Inclusive growth about plans and how we can extend our support to businesses whilst tackling some of the borough’s wider issues of the green economy and carbon footprint reduction. The big news is we have bought a great programme which will enable us to plug in a businesses data and not only support them with cost reduction but also help them reach a carbon neutral position hopefully.

You may remember that my background of many years ago is hospitality and I never have escaped because my son and his partner have chosen a career in hospitality and have their own restaurant. They are also very green aware and believe in ethical business, they have plans in place that for every card box from wine delivery a tree gets planted in a forest. They have one of those water ‘thingamajigs’ that dispenses still and sparkling water while contributing to building wells in underdeveloped countries, and they certainly don’t use plastic, metal straws and bamboo packaging are the order of the day.

We know that almost every product we buy comes in some form of packaging. Packaging can play several important roles: protecting the product, providing useful information, and sometimes even making you feel happy about your purchase, we all love a fancy designed box. Over the last couple of years, online shopping has exploded everything from supermarket deliveries to clothes and the enormous rise of subscription boxes whether that is meals to cook at home, books, or fancy stationery.

However, there is a significant shift from consumers to see more green business initiatives, so how can we support local businesses with the green economy.

Here are my handy tips:

1. Reduce our Environmental Impact

Our dumps, tips and landfill are full of an abundance of waste products that harm our environment, it’s more important than ever for businesses to be vigilant about recycling efforts to keep this planet clean for future generations.

As consumers, we hold the responsibility to be conscious of the products we buy, use, and dispose of.

Not all products and packaging are recyclable or environmentally friendly. Shopping at local eco-friendly businesses is a sure way to lower your environmental impact. These businesses make it a priority to use responsible sourcing and manufacturing to create their products. When more people buy these locally made eco-products, these businesses will become stronger, and in turn, the products will become more accessible.

2. Buy local

In addition to its positive environmental impact, locally made products have a level of uniqueness that is not always found in big national stores online. While chain stores often stock products that reflect national demands, a local eco-friendly store is more likely to focus on the interests of the community. Products from local producers allow customers to share the special characteristics of a local area with friends around the world. There’s something special about buying.

3. Improve the Local Economy

When you spend money at a local business, a significant amount returns to the local community. This income helps to foster economic growth and local development, benefitting everybody in your community with local products you can’t get anywhere else.

4. Preserve the Community Well Being

The local business contributes to the heart of your community. They help to sustain vibrant town centres and connect all the people that live there. In addition to helping the economy, lots of local businesses make it a point to give back to charity, which benefits local organisations. By supporting these businesses, you are contributing to the greater good of your community.

5. Create Local Jobs

When you buy locally, you’re helping businesses to stay profitable and promoting growth within the company. A growing business can afford to hire additional employees, creating more job opportunities for the people in your community.

6. Get Personalised Customer Service

Local sustainable businesses tend to have a smaller client base compared to big national retailers. This means they are likely to go above and beyond to add more value to customer service. Local business owners try to get to know their repeat customers and learn about their needs and preferences.

When you shop locally on a regular basis, you end up enjoying a personal connection that you may not get at your typical large retail stores. Overall, eco-friendly businesses provide a better shopping experience, both for you and for the planet.

To find out more about our green initiative and how we can help you contact us at [email protected]