On this episode, Ben is interested in all things sustainability. He sits down with Simon Derrick, founder of the Sustainable Business Alliance, and Robert Thompson, CEO of See Limited.
The Sustainable Business Alliance supports SMEs on improving their sustainability in a business savvy way. See Limited specialise in timber-based composites and have carved out the USP of being a highly sustainable business. See Limited work with the Sustainable Business Alliance to further improve their processes.
The Trigger Point
Ben asked the guests what the trigger was to make them prioritise sustainability. For Simon, he was working in the food industry in Ghana and saw the impact of the business on agriculture and the environment. He ended up working within the Blue Skies Foundation and developed a passion for sustainability.
Back in 2005 when he began, sustainability was not a common consideration for businesses. Simon was part of the few who were paving the way to more sustainable practices.
Robert was initially motivated to stand out from his competitors by being an eco-forward business. However, in a short amount of time, he was genuinely invested in sparking change. He worked to improve the business himself but felt he would benefit from additional guidance. Partnering with the Sustainable Business Alliance has greatly helped, and Robert plans to make the business carbon negative in the coming year.
Waste to Power
The guests discuss how businesses can use their waste to generate electricity or create byproducts to sell. They emphasise to business owners that they don’t have to choose between sustainability and profit – the two often go hand in hand.
Going above and beyond in sustainability can be a strategic benefit for the business and it promotes a positive working culture. SMEs can learn a lot from the sustainability processes that large companies incorporate. Businesses should take small achievable steps to sustainability, as it can make all the difference both commercially and environmentally.
Watch or listen to the episode here:
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