Let’s face it—eco-anxiety is real, and businesses are feeling the pressure to step up. Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a must. Whether you're running a cozy café or a busting retail store, going green is good for the planet and your bottom line. One way to do that is to embrace zero-waste living.
Zero-waste living focuses on minimizing waste by rethinking product lifecycles, emphasizing the reduction of consumption, and making the most of resources. By implementing zero-waste practices, businesses can save costs, improve their reputation, enhance employee morale, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
Here’s how your business can reduce its environmental footprint with practical, zero-waste strategies.
1. Start with a Waste Audit
Before you start making changes, you need to know where your waste is coming from. A waste audit is like a reality check for your trash habits—it helps you figure out what you’re throwing away, how much of it, and where it’s coming from.
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Analyze waste streams: Take stock of the different types of waste your business produces—paper, packaging, food scraps, e-waste, the works. Look out for repeat offenders like single-use plastics and excessive packaging.
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Look for areas of improvement: Spot the obvious swaps. Still using disposable plates in the kitchen? Time to go reusable. Got packaging that could be simplified? Explore sustainable alternatives.
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Track progress: Once you’ve got your baseline data, keep tabs on it. Being able to measure improvements helps you stay on track, and it makes for great content when sharing your green wins.
2. Go Paperless
Going paperless is one of the simplest ways to cut waste and boost your efficiency. Digital tools have come a long way, and they’re not just better for the environment—they’re better for your workflow, too.
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Switch to digital communications: Replace printed memos and flyers with emails and digital newsletters. Bonus: Fewer paper cuts.
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Digitize records: Keep important documents in the cloud so your team can access them anytime, anywhere. No more hunting through filing cabinets!
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Use electronic invoicing and receipts: Skip the printer and go digital for transactions. It’s faster, cleaner, and way more organized.
3. Invest in Sustainable Packaging
Packaging waste is one of the most visible (and frustrating) types of waste. It’s also one of the easiest areas to improve. Whether you’re shipping products or handing out takeout orders, there are greener options out there.
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Use recyclable or biodegradable materials: Ditch the plastic and go for materials like cardboard, paper, glass, or compostable bioplastics.
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Reduce packaging: Less is more. Use only what’s necessary to protect your product. Minimal packaging = less waste and lower shipping costs.
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Encourage customers to return packaging: Consider offering a take-back program for reusable packaging. It’s a great way to close the loop and build customer loyalty.
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Branding with sustainability in mind: Choose packaging that looks good and does good, think water-based inks and reusable totes.
4. Create an Eco-Friendly Office Space
Whether you work from home or in an actual office building, a green office doesn’t have to mean big changes or big budgets. Small tweaks can go a long way in creating a more sustainable, feel-good workspace.
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Switch to reusable items: Stock your breakroom with real mugs, plates, and cutlery. Encourage your team to bring their own water bottles and coffee cups.
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Go digital with meetings: Skip the printed agendas and try virtual meetings when possible. You’ll save paper and cut down on travel emissions.
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Reduce energy consumption: Swap out those old bulbs for LEDs and remind everyone to turn off lights and electronics when not in use.
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Organize recycling programs: Make recycling easy with clearly labelled bins. Educate your team on what goes where.
5. Encourage a Circular Economy (Refurbish > Replace)
Not everything that’s old needs to be tossed. A circular approach keeps products and materials in use longer, which is great news for your budget and the environment.
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Refurbish and reuse: Before you trash that old printer or desk, see if it can be repaired or repurposed. Refurbished gear often works just as well (and costs less).
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Buy second-hand or eco-friendly products: Look for items made from recycled materials or shop second-hand. Bonus points if they’re energy-efficient too.
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Create a take-back program: If your business sells products that can be reused or recycled, let customers return them at the end of their life. Everyone wins—especially the landfill.
6. Implement Sustainable Procurement Practices
What you buy and who you buy it from matters more than you might think. Sustainable procurement helps you reduce your indirect waste while supporting other businesses doing good.
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Source eco-friendly materials: Choose materials that are recyclable, compostable, or sustainably sourced, especially if you’re in manufacturing, packaging, or construction.
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Support ethical suppliers: Partner with vendors who align with your values. The more we support green businesses, the bigger the ripple effect.
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Buy in bulk: Stocking up reduces packaging waste and delivery emissions. It’s more efficient and usually more affordable too.
7. Educate Employees and Encourage Participation
A zero-waste mindset works best when everyone’s on board. Empower your team to be part of the solution, and you’ll create a culture that genuinely cares about sustainability.
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Host workshops: Offer learning sessions on everything from waste sorting to energy-saving hacks. It doesn’t have to be boring—make it fun and interactive.
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Create a sustainability team: Let a group of passionate employees lead the charge. They can plan events, come up with ideas, and keep everyone motivated.
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Reward participation: Celebrate wins, big and small. Whether it’s shoutouts in the internal newsletter or a prize for “Greenest Commuter,” a little recognition goes a long way.
The Bottom Line
Going zero-waste isn’t just about saving the planet (although that’s a pretty big deal). It also helps you cut costs, boost your brand, and create a workplace culture you can be proud of.
Start where you are, use what you have, and make your way toward a cleaner, greener workplace. Start small, think big, and remember every waste-free step counts.
Moneris' ESG Efforts: Driving Change with Green Practices, Community Support, and Strong Ethics
At Moneris, we lead by example with a strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, driving positive change in our operations and community. Here's a quick rundown our ESG efforts:
Eco-Friendly Moves
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Going green: We’re reducing our carbon footprint with energy-efficient projects like solar walls and an electric vehicle fleet. We're also boosting eco-friendly practices across our offices in Canada.
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Reducing waste: We focus on industrial synergies and local green initiatives, helping minimize environmental impact wherever we can.
Making a Social Impact
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Supporting communities: We teamed up with small businesses to donate big sums to causes like Ronald McDonald House Charities, helping families in need.
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Diversity and inclusion: From championing equity and redesigning systems for inclusivity to creating programs like Moneris Mosaic to celebrate diverse stories within the company, we put a big focus on a positive and inclusive work culture.
Governance and Transparency
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Stronger decision-making and accountability: We want to reinforce effective decision-making, agile delivery, and accountability for all corporate priorities and initiatives.
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Enhanced security and resilience: We want to continue to improve the security and resilience of our systems and processes to support evolving merchant and partner needs.
Moneris’ ESG efforts reflect a deep commitment to doing business the right way—by empowering its people, supporting communities, safeguarding the environment, and upholding strong governance. As we move toward its 2025 vision, we continue to prioritize meaningful action, transparency, and sustainable growth.
To know more about our ESG initiatives, download the full report.
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