Strategic Environmental Sustainability Actions

At The Bear Factory, we believe that sustainability is not just a trend but an essential part of how businesses could operate. While large-scale environmental changes can feel daunting, small businesses have the power to make significant strides by adopting strategic, sustainable actions. In this article, we’ll walk you through a checklist of key environmental actions all  businesses could do (i.e.not sure where to begin, this list will help you to start).   We’ll also highlight how waste streams can be transformed into resource streams, offer tips on recycling, and explore partnerships that can help streamline resource management efforts. 

Business Operations Checklist

Sustainability starts with measuring and monitoring your environmental impact. Here’s a checklist of essential actions that every business, big or small, could  be tracking:

• Energy Use: Monitor energy consumption in your operations and aim to reduce it through energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC systems.
• Water Use: Track water usage and implement water-saving measures, such as low-flow fixtures.
• Waste Generation: Measure the volume and types of waste your business produces. This is the first step in reducing waste and identifying opportunities for recycling and reuse.
• Waste Diversion: Track how much of your waste is being diverted from landfills through recycling, composting, and other disposal methods.
• Transportation Emissions: Monitor the carbon emissions from business-related travel and deliveries. Consider options like electric vehicles, route optimization, or public transportation for employees.
• Resource Sourcing: Ensure that the materials and products your business uses come from sustainable sources. Look for certifications like Fair Trade, organic, or FSC-certified.

By actively tracking these areas, businesses can identify opportunities to reduce their environmental footprint, save on operational costs, and contribute to a healthier planet.

Turning Your Waste Stream into a Resource Stream

In today’s world, waste shouldn’t just be something to throw away, it’s a valuable resource that can often be reused, recycled, or even repurposed into something new. The concept of a resource stream means viewing your waste as a potential asset rather than a liability. This shift in mindset can lead to innovative opportunities for your business while reducing its environmental impact.

Here are a few ways to begin transforming your waste stream:

1. Reduce: Limiting excess packaging and single-use materials is one of the most effective ways to cut down on waste. Evaluate your packaging choices and look for opportunities to minimize or eliminate materials that typically end up in landfills. Opt for recyclable or compostable packaging, and consider designing products with less or no packaging at all. Additionally, reducing unnecessary purchases and opting for durable, long-lasting materials can significantly lessen the amount of waste your business generates, preventing items from heading to landfills and reducing your overall environmental impact.
2. Recycling and Upcycling: Start with the basics by ensuring that recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, and metal are properly sorted and sent to the correct facilities. Consider upcycling, which involves creatively reusing waste materials to make new products. At The Bear Factory, we take recycling a step further by incorporating RPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) materials into our Plush for the Planet line. RPET is made from recycled plastic bottles, transforming waste into durable, high-quality materials for our products. 
3. Composting: Organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil, which can be used for landscaping and gardening. Composting not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also helps enrich the soil and sequester carbon.