Scotch & Paper?

From the climate crisis to the COVID pandemic, the effects of our behaviour on the planet are becoming clearer each year. As a result, sustainability has become a priority for individuals and businesses alike, with each considering how to incorporate new practices into their daily routines. 

According to our recent research, nearly half of the British public and almost three-quarters of companies are reconsidering how eco-friendly they are. What's more, nearly four in five businesses report that employees care more about working for sustainable businesses than a year before.

With this focus on our environmental impact, a growing number of firms - of every size and in all fields - are adopting new measures to make their operations greener and more sustainable.

We wanted to take a look at a few examples.

Beverage giant Diageo plan to increase their sustainability by packaging 200 year-old whisky brand Johnnie Walker in paper bottles by spring 2021. In an effort to reduce their use of single-use plastic, the company will co-launch a firm dedicated to producing innovative packaging made from wood pulp that's fully recyclable.

Talking of paper packaging, Royal Mail is currently testing the use of electric vans on postal routes to reduce emissions, refitting electric black cab taxis to serve as parcel carriers. Initial tests will involve electric vehicles that can be charged at postal offices in Birmingham, Leeds, Derby, Edinburgh and Bristol, in partnership with the London Electric Vehicle Company.

Meanwhile, in Kent, berry and stone fruit co-operative Berry Gardens has installed more than 3,600 solar panels to help offset its carbon footprint and become more energy efficient. According to its CEO, these efforts at becoming more eco-friendly will remove 292,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, helping them shift towards being carbon neutral.

These are far from the only companies focusing on sustainability. Leading global beauty brand L'Oréal pledged to become fully sustainable by 2030 and Garnier is exploring recyclable cardboard-based alternatives to traditional packaging.

Smaller businesses are playing a part in innovating new solutions too, with craft beer company BrewDog planning to open drive-through sites that will serve as hubs for electric vehicles and zero waste packaging . Plans are also under way by the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in hopes of offsetting the transportation industry's growing impact on the planet as well.

As the UK begins to recover from the effects of coronavirus, our research shows more than half of business decision-makers now believe a green recovery should be a priority in the post COVID-19 world. Similarly, executives have noted that these initiatives should be a joint effort between the government and everyday consumers. A whopping two-thirds further indicate they wish to make their businesses more sustainable because it's the “right thing to do."

The future of industry lies in sustainability. We all have an active part to play in helping bring about this positive change, and in supporting both our local community and environment. To find out more about taking 100% renewable-backed electricity and other solutions too, visit eonenergy.com/business.