Sustainable companies: where to start?

Environmental sustainability in industry has been transformed from a debatable topic to an obligation. The materials available in the world are not unlimited, but our need for them is. The answer? Sustainable enterprises.

What are sustainable enterprises?

Environmental sustainability in the business sector guarantees us the greatest maintainability of the company’s practices. It is about human and industrial activities having the conservation and protection of the environment as one of their main objectives indefinitely.

For decades it has been demonstrated that the resources available in the world are limited. Thus, if they are not recycled and reused, industrial practices will have a relatively short expiration date.

Sustainable development is based on ensuring economic development while taking into account social aspects and environmental protection. In such a way that the needs of the present are met, without jeopardizing the possibilities of the future. Among the most common practices are:

• Saving energy.
• Responsible consumption of resources.
• Recycling of materials.

Sustainable actions to implement in companies

To promote sustainable development there are initiatives such as the European Sustainable Development Week, which was held from September 18 to October 8. These events promote initiatives to implement sustainable development in European companies. 

On the other hand, we also have the European Week for Waste Reduction, which is based on raising awareness of sustainable resource management. It is based on sustainable actions such as:

• Reducing waste.
• Reusing products.
• Recycling materials.

There are accreditations, such as the ODS certificate, which aim to demonstrate that companies promote sustainability. Achieving one of these can bring advantages such as: the possibility of opening up to more markets, cost savings, contracts with the public sector or improved brand image. To achieve these titles and/or for a company to be considered a “sustainable company”, the ODS is based on the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development which sets out 17 main objectives to be met. Among these, the ones that can have the most direct effect on companies are:

• SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
• SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, secure, sustainable and modern energy.
• SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
• SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
• SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

To meet goals such as Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible production and consumption, a very clear example is to start with the use of recycled materials, as previously discussed. To this end, the ScrapAd platform was created for the purchase of scrap and sale of recyclable materials. In addition to opening up the possibility of a larger market, with more competitive prices, this has advantages such as greater ease and security in the buying and selling process.