In today’s world, sustainability is not just an idea or something talked about in the news — it’s a true effort. It’s a core element of businesses to be mindful and take responsibility for their environmental impact. For a business’ sustainability efforts to succeed, everyone must be involved. Here are five tips for inspiring your team to promote sustainability:

1. Educate Them

To inspire your team to prioritize sustainability, it’s essential to clearly communicate both the “why” and the “how” behind this mission. Empower them with knowledge about the importance of incorporating sustainable practices, like reducing waste and using green cleaning products, and how this reduces your business’ overall carbon footprint. Understanding the environmental impact of their efforts and actions makes the cause more meaningful to them, making them more likely to want to participate.

2. Set Goals and Expectations

Start by defining what sustainability means for your organization and how it connects to your overall mission and values. Then, break it down into how it relates to each role. Define the actions each person on your team can take in their day-to-day work tasks to contribute to your company’s sustainability goals. Clear communication when setting goals and outlining expectations is key to success in any venture, especially when inspiring your team to participate in sustainability initiatives.

3. Provide Training and Resources

Making sure your team is equipped with the right training, tools and resources to accomplish the goals you’ve set for them is an important step in inspiring them to adopt sustainable practices. In your training programs, you can cover a variety of topics that will enhance your team’s knowledge and understanding of sustainability, and how their individual participation contributes to the overall goal. This is also a good time to prepare them for any challenges that may arise and how they can overcome them.

4. Lead by Example

One of the best ways to inspire your team to promote sustainability is to lead by example. Instead of only telling your team how important it is and how they can contribute, make sure you’re contributing equally to the vision. Adopt greener routines in your day-to-day work tasks, such as reducing waste by recycling or reducing your energy consumption. Serve as a good example for your team and they’ll be more likely to follow in your footsteps.

5. Reward Them for Their Effort

Recognition is a powerful motivator. When you set a standard for your team, you should always be prepared to recognize and reward their efforts. This makes your team feel valued and respected, further inspiring them to continue practicing these sustainable habits in the future. The more you grow and accomplish as a team in your sustainability efforts, the more you celebrate!

Inspiring your team to adopt sustainable practices requires education, leadership and teamwork. It’s a collaborative effort that requires commitment on all sides. The team at Pollock Orora is committed to not only promoting greener practices but also helping you and your team accomplish your business’ sustainability goals. Learn more about our green business solutions or contact us today to see how we can SOLVE your team’s sustainability efforts!