Sustainability in Business: A Necessity Not a Selling Point

Sustainability is very much at the forefront of the world’s mind. Not only is it companionable to have a universal goal, it is also of crucial importance. Sustainable practices are no longer a choice, but a necessity for the future of our planet, and it is vital that we all play our part; this applies to each of us as individuals, as well as both small and large-scale businesses.??

What is the issue??

Sustainability in business has taken center stage – particularly among industry leaders who are setting the standard. However, there is a significant difference between making empty promises and taking concrete action. Some businesses, despite having the best intentions, find themselves guilty of ‘greenwashing’: this is where a company either overstates its sustainable efforts, or brands itself as environmentally friendly in certain areas, when other areas of their practice leave a lot to be desired.?

It is also worth noting that many consumers now actively seek brands that champion sustainable practices, therefore it is a slippery slope to merely use sustainability as a selling point, without making real change. Alberto Carrilo Pineda, a founder of the Science Based Targets Initiative, claims that “you can look at a company’s website and see their sustainability report and it will look great, but then when you look at what is behind it, you’ll see there is not a lot of substance behind those commitments – or the commitments are not comprehensive enough.” But substance over style, and making good on corporate promises should be an easy choice for every business - and is certainly something that motivates our actions at BKT.

What dissuades businesses from adopting more sustainable practices??

It goes without saying that most businesses are keen to “fight the good fight” – and what battle is more vital than protecting the planet we call home? However, there are practical reasons why some businesses are dissuaded from adopting more sustainable practices. For example, it is undeniable that sustainable efforts increase costs; businesses are often faced with the conflict of balancing time and resources against the increasing demands of sustainable initiatives. The ultimate long-term goal of any business is to achieve economic growth, and some companies find that an environmental-focused strategy is not always cost-effective.

How can businesses benefit from adopting more sustainable practices??

Despite this, it’s important to look at the bigger picture – frankly, the biggest picture humanly possible: our entire planet. While some companies may find that sustainable practices do not align with their long-term business goals, the long-term impact on the environment supersedes this.?

What’s more, the benefits of adopting more sustainable practices far outweigh any obstacles; as previously mentioned, sustainability has become increasingly prominent in consumers’ long list of priorities. Therefore, if your business actively – and publicly - employs more environmentally friendly initiatives, this will work wonders for your brand reputation. So, despite any concerns about the cost-effectiveness of sustainable practices negating your long-term economic targets, aligning with your customers’ values will naturally lead to greater customer retention – and ultimately increase the longevity of your business! But remember – make sure you actually have something to shout about!?

Additionally, implementing sustainable practices gives you the opportunity to give back to local communities. At BKT, we are passionate about ‘thinking glocal’, and paying homage to our roots as a family-founded business – which begins with our multiple decade-spanning sustainable initiatives. Sustainability is an integral part of our business model, and we are constantly thinking of new, innovative ways to make our processes greener. So, as vocal advocates for preserving the environment for future generations, how do we put our passion into practice??

As previously highlighted, sustainability has been an ongoing priority for us. Our first wind farm was established in 2004, followed by the addition of solar panels to two of our main factories, and the decision to switch from coal-fired boilers to gas-fired boilers - vitally reducing air emissions. What’s more, we have also created rainwater harvesting systems, including two large water reservoirs at our Bhuj plant. We put equal effort into the sustainability of both our processes and products; BKT tires are fit for purpose, ensuring they are durable for a long period of time. Importantly, we also consistently seek to improve our efficiency of material usage, to reduce waste.?

Conclusion?

These are just a few examples of our extensive sustainable efforts – and we certainly don’t intend to stop there! Sustainability should be an ongoing goal for all businesses, constantly seeking innovative ways to improve our processes. Why? Because sustainability is crucial for us all, and we are all equally accountable for protecting our planet. The time to act is now!?

Have a look at BKT's sustainability efforts here: BKT Sustainability