How your business can comply with corporate social responsibility
As a business owner, having corporate social responsibility (CSR) is necessary, as it shows that there is more to your business than making a profit. Being actively involved in the community proves that your business is considerate about environmental and social issues.
Many companies rely on a wide range of valuable resources such as coal, water, oil and gas to operate. However, the manufacturing processes being used can negatively impact the environment which can lead to spillovers into the water source, thus adding harmful chemicals to drinking water. These harmful chemicals are known to cause air pollution.
There are many ways in which your company can comply with CSR, below are helpful pointers for your company to implement.
Reduce Your Business’s Carbon Footprint
There are many ways in which your company can produce a carbon footprint and comply with CRS. The two common ways are through electricity or water as they are used on a daily basis. However, your business can reduce its footprint by identifying where the problem lies.
To do so, you must ensure that your business respects the environment and human rights. CRS attracts positive publicity, improves your business brand and helps your business to stand out from its competitors.
If you use excessive amounts of water, you can adhere to CRS by having a water management solution to ensure that your industrial wastewater is being treated. Protecting the environment and its resources are an effective way of complying. It is also a cost-saving initiative for your business.
Water management services will offer you industrial water treatment which is suitable for your business. Those treatment plants can assist with reverse osmosis and carbon filtration. Water treatment processes ensure that bacteria and viruses are removed, converting the water into potable water. With this kind of process, you can have peace of mind knowing that your business is reusing water instead of having wastewater seep its way back into the environment. Through water management, your business will save money in the long run as you’re able to reuse and recycle water.
Once you have sorted out your business’s water and wastewater, you can start implementing changes to decrease your energy usage. Some ways in which your business can save energy are to have an electricity audit done, purchase energy-efficient equipment and switching off lights when they’re not in use. Not only will reducing your carbon footprint help the environment, but it will also save you money on water and electricity bills.
Give Back To Charity
Another way to adhere to CSR is by being helpful towards a charity organisation. Research shows those who give back are happier and have a sense of purpose.
There are many non-profit organisations which are in need of assistance. Your business doesn’t need to make one big donation – it can be monthly or annually.
Your donation can include a monetary donation, volunteering or helping the non-profit with your business specialities. For instance, if you’re in the food and beverage industry, you could supply a homeless shelter with food once a month.
If you’re able to, your business can sponsor a charity event. All you need to do is figure out is which organisation shares the same values as you and take it from there. Once you know which one, you can contact them and set up a meeting to discuss the procedure. Not only will you be doing this for compliance, but you will also feel good about yourself knowing you have been of help to people.
Be Active In Helping The Environment
There are many ways in which your business can play a role in protecting the environment. Treating water and saving on your company’s energy consumption isn’t the only way.
Your business can have a tree-planting event, have recycling bins in the office and around the premises or go plastic and paperless. Protecting the environment is not a once-off thing and should be done continuously. The environment plays an important role in human lives and needs to be protected. This will ensure business longevity and growth.
Be Involved In The Community
It’s always fulfilling being involved in community initiatives, as there are many underprivileged people to help. Offering your assistance will have an impact on the neighbourhood by giving people a “way out” of their situation. Their situation could be poverty or a lack of quality education.
You can start by donating to schools, for example, giving schools computers or hosting workshops to help those who are interested in starting a business. There are many ways in which you could do that. But first, you need to take a look at the needs of a community and take it from there.
Be Conscious About The People You Work With
As a business owner, it’s important to work with people and investors who share the same interests and values. This will ensure that you won’t butt heads in the future or need to do anything that you feel is unethical to your business. When working with people who share the same ethical values, it’s easier for your business to grow and reach your business goals.
The content in this article was provided by Rogerwilco – a South African marketing agency based in Cape Town.