My sustainability journey and taking your business on your sustainable marketing journey
This year I’ve committed to looking at how I can run my business more sustainably and work with you and your business to bring your sustainability journey into your marketing this year too.
So where have I got to?
Signed up to the Sustainable Marketing Manifesto
The 3 Commitments of a Sustainable Marketer:
I commit to using my marketing skills as a force for good acting responsibly with full transparency and honesty when it comes to messaging, communication and creative. My role is to communicate with clarity the truth of a brand or organisation I am responsible to ‘market’, rather than sharing the best ‘version of the truth ’ – which could be misconstrued as misleading (greenwashing / purpose-washing / mislabelling) and most certainly doesn’t align with transparency and honesty.
I commit to continuous education around the climate crisis, ethical and sustainable marketing using these critical areas as a lens through which to operate. My responsibility is to educate myself and commit to continually staying curious and alert, so that
I can create meaningful and innovative solutions and share knowledge to meet the needs of stakeholders, whilst wholly respecting the planet.
I commit to working across the business to support, address, and courageously call out and challenge any areas where more progress in these critical areas is needed and isn’t being addressed.
My responsibility is to educate others so that collectively we can create meaningful and innovative solutions and shared knowledge to meet the needs of stakeholders, whilst wholly respecting the planet – and to courageously scrutinise and challenge plans, products, campaigns, agency / supplier relationships and communications that I consider fall outside of my sustainable marketer manifesto.
Second read of Sustainable Marketing: How to drive profits with purpose
This raised some questions and areas that I can influence in businesses and by leading the way through education and sharing through our communications we can share how consumers can make the change. As a marketer I need to be honest about where I am and the businesses, I work with are on their sustainability journey.
Taking plastic bags to be recycled at the Co-op
This was an easy one as I go once a week too, so I drop my bags before I do my shop.
Buy my energy from renewable sources (look out for energy tariffs for this)
I was already on a renewable energy tariff with my supplier so will continue to ensure that I choose this route.
Reduced all travel
Honesty I wasn’t travelling much anyway, and clients are happy with online. However when I do travel, I ensure it’s for a meaningful connection and try and use public transport if I’m going any distance.
Have carried out a carbon calculator, however with oil central heating and a 4×4 I have some work to do!
This was a hard one as I don’t have any air travel, so it was really down to the car and how I heat the house. So it’s something I can work on. It won’t be this year given the supply issue with cars and that there really is nothing wrong with it. The heating side will take more research into the alternatives, the investment in these and what support may be out there to change.
My bank makes their cards from recycled plastic and is paperless
I changed to Starling Bank for business last year and this year switched for personal too. They are an app first bank, and the bank cards are made from recycled plastic. They are actively working towards NetZero and have diversity in their DNA
Switched to plastic free deodorant
When you look at the plastic in your bedside drawer, I started with what was on top and it was my deodorant so last summer I switched to Wild and their online subscription service. Made from natural products and an aluminium case the refills are all biodegradable too.
This is just the start and I’m committed to doing more.
So where are you on your sustainability journey?
What actions are you taking planning to take this year and what are your intentions?
Let’s set up a call share where we are on our journeys.