26 August 2022
As Australians become keener to do to reduce their environmental impact, businesses and commercial buildings have taken steps to minimise their carbon footprint, cut down on unnecessary emissions and switch to more sustainable options.
But what does it mean to choose a “sustainable option,” and how can commercial buildings benefit from the change?
In this blog, we explore some of the sociologically, environmental and practical reasons to adopt sustainable practices in your business or commercial setting. Read on!
What is sustainability and how does it relate to Australian businesses?
While many products and services are being branded as “sustainable,” some are much more impactful and valuable than others. It’s important to understand what sustainability means so that consumers know which companies are actually making steps in an environmentally friendly direction.
In the broadest sense, Oxford defines sustainability as “involving the use of natural products and energy in a way that does not harm the environment.”
Harvard Business School defines sustainability in business as operating effectively “without negatively impacting the environment, community, or society as a whole.”
The word itself has risen in popularity in the past decade with more and more companies aiming to be more eco-friendly with the materials they use, the products they’re manufacturing, or the waste that they’re trying to smartly dispose of.
The Australian Government Department of Human Services’ Environmental Sustainability Policy identifies energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, building waste and water waste as key issues. Each of these can be addressed and reduced by using more sustainable products without negatively impacting day-to-day operations or profitability.
How are Australian businesses misinterpreting sustainable products?
Sustainability is more than just minimising plastic in your production line or including sustainable messages with your brand. While recycling is often touted as one of the most effective sustainable practices, sustainability goes far beyond this.
Sustainability is more about businesses and corporations being more aware of the carbon footprint they create with their production processes, rather than just the final result of said processes. This is because while some sustainable decisions are beneficial, many consumers end up substituting an environmentally damaging practice for a slightly less damaging practice.
One example of this is using metal straws. The trend of using metal straws has grown popular in recent years. But while metal straws are markedly more sustainable than plastic, they’re created through wasteful processes that hinder their environmental benefits. Studies at Humbolt State University found that the energy required to manufacture one metal straw is equivalent to producing almost a hundred plastic straws.
The challenge businesses face is finding the right balance between choosing products that are sustainable and choosing products that are made in a sustainable way. Their focus shouldn’t just be on how ethically correct their manufacturing is, but also on how their products educate consumers into becoming more mindful of their activities and lifestyle.
At Dolphin Solutions, we’re committed to creating our range through sustainable methods
As one of Australia’s leading suppliers of washroom solutions, we aim to make all our washroom products sustainable by repurposing materials used across our production lines and adhering to regulations set by our sustainability certifications.
Products like the Alavo Mirror Systems, Automatic Soap Dispensers, and Commercial Sensor Taps contribute to water and energy efficiency without compromising quality. For us, sustainability means abiding by the laws and standards set by the relevant authorities that outline requirements for cost-effective water and energy consumption, and air and water nourishment.
Part of our sustainability commitment is innovating our product range to help architects, contractors, and project managers incorporate our products into their plans with ease.
At their core, sustainable products can be defined as those safe-to-use products that are made with full sustainability considerations in mind, helping end-users efficiently consume them with minimal or zero wastage to leave the lowest carbon footprint possible. This is the approach we — and every business — should use when designing sustainable products.