Environmentally Friendly

ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESS GIFTS

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Environmentally Friendly
three gifts wrapped in eco friendly wrappping, with flower decorations on a light background

Whether it’s the holiday season or you’re looking for something to say thank you or happy birthday to your staff or clients, gift giving often goes hand in hand with success and celebrations. They’re a gesture of thoughtfulness and care, a universal language used for letting others know that you appreciate them. Sadly, there is also a common downside to the practice. Whilst most gifts spark joy in the moment, many are disposable and short-lived. They can lack usefulness or longevity. In addition to this, they’re often also accompanied by wrapping paper or plastic packaging, creating a lot of rubbish ultimately making the wonderful action of gift giving a terrible contributor to environmental pollution. According to recent findings, the average person purchases 32 gifts every year, while every Christmas we dispose of over 227,000 kilometres of wrapping paper. Though it may seem small, making eco-friendly swaps when it comes to gifts can be a sizable step in a greener direction.

What are Eco-gifts?

Eco-friendly gifts allow us to combine the act of giving with a needed respect for our planet. They are commonly sourced from natural, sustainable materials and strive to be reusable. Focusing on functionality, eco-gifts often reflect the current needs of the recipient. Apart from fulfilling practicality, ecological gifts can be an invitation to a more sustainable lifestyle! Inspiring the recipients to implement greener principles and consider a change of habit they can be a great way of recruiting new eco warriors!

Here’s our list of popular ecological business gifts, as well as one’s you might not have thought of!

  • Reusable coffee cups and water bottles – With sustainability on the rise there are hundreds of reusable alternatives to choose from! Take your pick from stainless steel, glass, and silicone products- with many brands opting for recycled materials.
  • Reusable straws and cutlery travel set – Governments all over the world are banning single-use plastics, making reusable straws and cutlery travel sets a great permanent alternative to help reduce rubbish pollution. Various companies such as Sho make reusable cups and flasks and donate a portion of the profits to charity.
  • Vegan & cruelty-free beauty products – Many beauty companies are making a push to limit testing cosmetic products on animals or using animal products in cosmetics. Look for companies with green certifications and certified cruelty free logos on their packaging.
  • Seed-planting and home garden kits – With gardening growing in popularity over recent years, seed-planting and home gardening kits are great gifts. Explore companies such as Treebombs with their 101 trees pack.
  • Organic snacks and treats – Look out for foods with the organic label! Organic foods are more friendly to the environment because of the lack of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers which often have negative consequences for surrounding organisms. With online retailers such as Abel & Cole finding organic snacks and treats has never been more accessible!
  • Experience vouchers – Instead of buying a physical gift, why not think about an experience? Physical gifts take materials and energy to manufacture, whereas there is no waste involved with experiences. Why not consider experience packages working alongside charities or giving back to communities?
  • Recycled material cards – Use cards that contain recycled materials in their construction, or alternatively forego a card altogether. Consider eco-friendly sellers such as “WashedUpCards” which use recycled plastic waste found from beaches to make cards.
  • Kitchen herb plants – Herbs are a great natural gift – they are useful for any cook and can transform a dish. They are an eco-friendly alternative to dried herbs in jars, cutting out the picking, drying, and packaging steps while promoting growing your own produce. You can find herbs at most larger supermarkets, garden centres and online retailers.
  • Reusable makeup pads– Time to ditch the single use skincare and utilise organic makeup wipes! Made from organic bamboo cotton they are both reusable and kinder to the skin.
  • Recycled notebooks and stationery – There a many beautiful and recycled alternatives. Did you know there are sustainable notebooks that are fully compostable? Our recent favourite is the “vegan leather” bound notebook made from sustainably harvested Teak leaves and ecological materials. Visit Etsy and explore endless sustainable options!

Our team at MOMENTUM are constantly looking for ways to improve our effects on the environment! If you’d like to discuss other eco-friendly ideas or want to find out more, we’d love to share ideas! Get in touch: E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

The Rising Demand for Business Sustainability

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Carbon Footprint, Environmentally Friendly
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Consumers all over the world are becoming increasingly conscious of their everyday actions and choices. As the fight for better environmental preservation continues to develop, many businesses are also striving for better sustainability and organic solutions. But what do we mean by that?

When explaining sustainability, it is often divided into three primary structures – environment, economy, and society. There have been many interpretations of the true meaning behind the categories however, the components are thought to ensure sustainability once true harmony and balance are achieved between the three. They are most commonly known as the “three pillars of sustainability” which are:

  • Environmental Sustainability – Maintaining resources are preserved and replenished so that future needs are met. This is implemented through minimising our carbon footprint, water usage as well as the production of waste, which ultimately proves beneficial to both the environment and human health.
  • Social Sustainability – Ensuring that all social processes and structures benefit the present and future populations, maintaining well supported and thriving communities, as well as understanding human needs. Sustainability within the society warrants for a better quality of life, higher inclusion, and diversity as well as the presence of equity.
  • Economical Sustainability – The safeguarding of long-term economic development and growth, while making sure environmental and social structures are not damaged in the process. Nurturing of precious resources and industries, as well as tending to economic value.

Achieving Sustainability

Overtime, businesses became the most prominent contributors to pollution and climate change, but in the recent years, organisations have begun implementing positive changes to ensure a more ethical approach is undertaken. Ultimately, striving for sustainability is not only beneficial to the environment but it’s also good business. Companies that are known for holding eco-friendly values as well as organisations who are vocal allies for human rights, tend to be more trusted and respected by consumers. They generate higher revenues and tend to be in a positive spotlight more frequently than those who are less invested. There are many ways in which a business can impose sustainability, including the practicing of:

  • Partnering with eco-friendly supply chains.
  • Recycling/using recycled products within the company.
  • Managing chemical waste and using environmentally friendly products.
  • Reducing water and energy waste.
  • Hosting fundraisers and charity events.
  • Eco-travel and transport.
  • Maintaining and monitoring equality within the workplace.
  • Choosing renewable energy solutions and energy saving products.

Though on a grand scale the concept is still in its early development – sustainability is ingrained within many historical movements. From Conservationism to social justice, humans have endeavoured for improved sustainability for many years. With new technologies, deeper understanding and increasing demands, there has never been a better time to get more acquainted with sustainability.

If you’d like to learn more about sustainability or the benefits of maintaining a sustainable business, we would love to help! As an online business we have first-hand experience in eco-conscious practices and would be happy to share our knowledge. For blog questions, business support and any other queries get in touch. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

makeithappen.. E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com T: 01903 688789

Eco-Conscious Product Swaps For Your Business

MOMENTUM Business Support Carbon Footprint, Environmentally Friendly
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Are you aware of your businesses eco-footprint? 

With a huge, growing range of sustainable products on offer out there, there’s never been a better time to review the products that you use day to day and think about what you could swap out for a greener alternative. 

Here’s some of our eco-conscious product swap ideas to get you started!


Printing

Printer ink and toner cartridges can be hugely expensive and wasteful. Many brands now offer sustainable options by creating their cartridges from recycled materials, with some even offering re-fillable options designed to last much longer. Be sure to do some research – you might be surprised with what you can find!

Computers

If you’re looking to save more energy when it comes to your computers, you can opt for a computer monitor with Energy Star Certification, which uses mercury-free, clean LED technology to keep energy use low. 


Pens

You may not currently pay much attention to the type of pens you buy for your office notes – but more and more varieties are now becoming available that have been made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles for example. When you next need to re-stock your pen pot, do your bit and make a small swap!


Mailing

With lots of us online shopping now, this has meant even more products are being picked, packed and shipped across the world every single day. By opting for recycled boxes and tapes, businesses can take one step closer to becoming more eco-conscious.


Small steps make a big difference – so making a few product swaps is a great way to start making your business greener! Let us know what Eco swaps you make in your business.

Catch up on some of our other Eco Updates here:

7 ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESS TIPS

YOUR VERY OWN ECO-WARRIORS

7 Eco-Friendly Business Tips

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Carbon Footprint, Environmentally Friendly

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Behind the scenes at MOMENTUM, we have been researching ways that we can become more environmentally responsible as a business. As virtual assistants, a lot of what we already do is friendly to our eco system – however, there are many more small steps that we can take to create a positive impact on our environment! In this blog we thought we would share 7 eco-friendly swaps that we have come across, that you might like to try in your business…

  1. Use Ecosia – Ecosia is an incredible search engine that uses the profit that they make from your web searches to plant trees where they are needed most around the world. Why not get the free browser extension and try it out? https://www.ecosia.org/?c=en.
  2. Change To Energy Efficient Providers – How eco-friendly is your current energy provider? Do some research and find accredited renewable energy installers using the Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/key-term-explained/microgeneration-certification-scheme-mcs.
  3. Send Less Emails – A research study commissioned by energy company OVO revealed that we send more than 64m unnecessary emails every day, and that if every adult in the UK sent one less “thank you” email a day, we would save more than 16,433 tonnes of carbon a year – equivalent to 81,152 flights to Madrid or taking 3,334 diesel cars off the road!
  4. Use Less Paper – Paper is a common waste product in most businesses, there are many actions you can take to start cutting down on how much you use, from using double-sided printing, repurposing used paper into notepads or even using a virtual assistant!
  5. Send Tree Bombs – Need to send a gift? How about something alternative to the regular box of chocolates or flowers – introducing Tree Bombs! Treebombs are handmade seedballs, containing native UK Alder Tree seeds which create a biodiverse habitat and grow quickly into strong carbon capturing trees. Treebomb gift packs make the most wonderful gesture. Find out more here: https://www.treebombs.co.uk.
  6. Office Supplies – Be mindful when you purchase office supplies, is there an alternative to the plastic items that you regularly buy – and is it really needed?
  7. Disposal – Look at how you currently dispose of your office items, such as ink cartridges, batteries and even stationary – all of these can actually be recycled. Shredded paper may not be recyclable, but it can be composted!

If you’d like to find out more about our services or talk to us about sustainability, then please get in touch.  E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789. 

Your Very Own Eco-Warriors

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Carbon Footprint, Environmentally Friendly

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We all want to do ‘our bit’ to save the planet for future generations and it just so happens that us Virtual Assistants have been living up to these terms for years! 

If you already live an environmentally responsible lifestyle or want to start, then working with a Virtual Assistant (VA) can help incorporate these values into your day-to-day business dealings. 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead 

Here are some examples of why we think so: 

  • Working with a VA you don’t need to provide an office. Not only does this save you money, not having to furnish and provide utilities also saves the use of fossil fuels and minimises your carbon footprint! Plus, we generally get the work done in at least half the time of an office-based employee. 
  • VA’s do not need to travel to work as they generally work from home. So that’s one less car on the road on a daily basis, cutting down on fuel consumption and vehicle exhaust pollution.  
  • By the very nature of our business, we are ‘virtual’ and therefore typically use less paper – if any at all. The majority of our work is done via the internet and all files are transferred and stored electronically. Printed copies are only needed at client’s request, if absolutely necessary. 

“One person can make all the difference in the world. For the first time in recorded human history,  we have the fate of the whole planet in our hands.”

– Chrissie Hynde 

As you can see, we’re not only saving you money but more importantly, helping the environment as we do so. We can all do our bit however big or small, plant a tree, recycle or use our services! 

If you’d like to find out more about our services or talk to us about sustainability, then please get in touch.  E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789