We’re 6 days into the new year, and I wanted to share some of my musings on what I would like to achieve in 2014.

This is something I’ve been conscious of for the better part of my life, but I would really like to cut down on the amount of waste produced, wherever possible. Earlier this year, this story about a beached whale in Spain that died because it ate 17 lbs of plastic, made me feel angry, guilty, sad, and then angry again. Not necessarily in that order. But it really did make me think about what else I, a responsible human being, can do, apart from the basic steps we’re all encouraged to take, like bringing your own bag when doing grocery shopping, or recycling.

As a household, we already do our part, so where does it all stand regarding my small business? I’ve started this program of baby steps towards more eco-friendly practices, and, indeed, a clearer conscience:

  • REUSING THE PACKING I GET MY SUPPLIES IN. 

I don’t just chuck out the packing peanuts, or the bubble wrap I get when I order my supplies. Instead, I keep them and use them to pack and ship orders to my own customers. So much of it is perfectly usable, and I’m happy to give it a second life.

  • USING LESS PAPER WHEN PRINTING.

When including a personal note with any order, I print two notes on the same sheet of paper. A tweak in your word processor/printer settings, and you’re http://laparkan.com/buy-accutane/ essentially cutting down your paper usage in half.

  • MAKING IT EASY FOR CUSTOMERS TO REUSE AND RECYCLE MY PACKAGING.

I’ve started using more glass containers, as well as eco-friendly brown paper for nearly all my packaging and branding needs. Which means that when someone finishes using with their bottle of bathing salts, they can simply tear off the paper, which is held in place by my trademark red seal, and put it straight in the recycling. And the glass bottle, too.

  • SWITCHING TO BIO-DEGRADABLE OFFICE SUPPLIES.

This has yet to happen in my business, but I made the decision to start using bio-degradable parcel tape once I run out of my existing supply of the regular kind.

  • TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BUSINESS CARDS.

A great company called moo.com offers two types of business cards: regular and green. Both are recyclable, but the green variety is also produced with wind power and is is made out of recycled paper. I tried both, and both are nice and presentable, so if there’s no trade-off in quality, definitely count me in for the green kind.

These are just some easy but healthy practices that anyone, but particularly someone who runs a small business, can implement in their life. You may think it’s not much, but a little goes a long way, and it’s the shift in people’s attitude towards nature that needs to happen.

I hope that you had a great holiday season and wish you a happy, healthy and ethical 2014.