A business can have a profound impact on the community it is a part of. It can sponsor local charities and school clubs. It can provide a place for people to gather as a community. One of the less obvious ways a business can have a big impact is with the supplies it purchases.

Double-Duty Cleaning

One of the more mundane aspects of running a business is keeping supplies stocked so the business can focus on the goods and services it provides in a clean and welcoming space. Every business, regardless of industry, must stock cleaning supplies. Your cleaning supplies can pull double duty by contributing to a cleaner environment. Sourcing environmentally friendly custodial supplies like recycled cloth wipes is a small area in which your business can have a big impact.

Every fashionista on the planet could recycle his or her discarded clothing and the impact would be sparse if there were not a demand for the recycled cloth. A 2017 report found that, every second, fashion waste equal to an entire garbage truck full is lost to incineration or landfills. Creating demand for recycled cloth is an important part of the process of reducing waste.

Responsible Sourcing

If new cloth cleaning supplies are the only way for your business to go, then making sure those cloths are made responsibly still has an impact. Synthetic fibers can create microfiber pollution that finds its way to oceans, where it can be devastating to sea life and aquatic habitats. Natural fibers are easier to recycle and are biodegradable if they do find their way to landfills.

Customer Connections

A 2017 study found that a business’s environmental impact is important to as many as 87 percent of consumers. Using green products can help you connect with customers who are looking for everyday ways to be more environmentally responsible.

Let your customers know that your business cares enough about your environmental impact to make purchases that reflect those values. This creates the opportunity for deeper emotional investment in your brand.