Steps towards a more sustainable small business

Making significant, sustainable changes may seem daunting for businesses low on time, budget and resources - but it's more achievable than ever.

4 min read

Last updated 03 Sep, 2025

Key Takeouts

Going greener can help your small business reduce costs, become more resilient and make a lasting positive impact now and in the future.

If you’re serious about being more sustainable, aligning yourself with partners and suppliers who share your values is important.

Reducing your water and energy usage may be easier than you think – often, it’s just a case of making a few changes or building new habits.

A few simple changes can help make your small business sustainable – in more ways than one. Not only can you help the planet, going greener may even help your cashflow. In a recent survey of Australian shoppers, nearly half said sustainability was an important factor when making a purchase.

If, like many small businesses, you’re low on time, tight on budget and have limited resources, the idea of reducing your carbon footprint may seem daunting. But sustainable tools and technology are more accessible than ever, and even little changes can help make a big difference.

Here are some steps you can start taking to help make your small business more sustainable today.

1. Choose sustainable partners and suppliers

All businesses exist as part of a wider network. If you’re serious about being more sustainable, aligning yourself with partners and suppliers who share your values can be important. This could mean different things depending on your industry and what you do.

It’s not just business-specific supplies you can consider – things like sustainable toilet paper and cleaning products can all play a part in helping to reduce your business’ environmental footprint.

2. Reduce your consumption

Reducing your water and energy usage may be easier than you think – often, it’s just a case of making a few changes or building new habits. Here are three areas which can help to reduce your water and energy usage.

Taps - Switching to energy-efficient faucets will help save water. While you’re installing them, check for leaks and drips.

Appliances - Standby power may make up around 10% of your power bill. Turning appliances off at the wall when not in use can help to make a big difference to how much power you use. To make it even easier, you can use cut-out switches that will do this automatically. Or you might want to choose to switch to more energy-efficient appliances.

Lights - Get in the habit of turning off the lights when you leave the room, and encourage your staff to do the same. You may also want to consider installing automatic lighting sensors that will turn off when nobody is in the room.

When it comes to reducing your energy usage, the first step is to understand how much you’re using and why. This is where a power audit can be helpful. Your energy bill should have some information about your usage. You can use an energy monitoring app, a plug-in monitor or digital meter for more in-depth information.

3. Switch to more sustainable energy

If your budget – and rooftop – allow, our solar systems can help you set up your own mini power station. Producing your solar energy directly offsets the energy you consume from the grid, helping to reduce your power bills, relieving pressure on the planet - and your wallet.

4. Offset your carbon emissions

Carbon offsets can help reduce your carbon footprint by compensating for the emissions your business produces.

An easy way to do this is by adding Carbon Neutral, certified by Climate Active, to your AGL gas or electricity plans. They can help offset carbon emissions associated with your business's energy, while supporting local and international projects that acn help deliver real benefits for the planet.

5. Shine brighter with LEDs

LEDs are a greener way to light up your business premises. These bulbs boast a longer lifespan and are up to 75% more energy-efficient than a traditional lightbulb – helping you to save time and money while contributing to a greener future.

We can help you upgrade your business lighting system. AGL’s LED product range includes a carbon-neutral light option, certified by Climate Active, and you may even be eligible for a government rebate or grant.

6. Go paperless and embrace remote working

Thanks to the cloud, more businesses are going paperless and getting rid of paper files altogether.

Its never been easier to work from anywhere and still access everything you need to keep your business humming. Remote working has many benefits for the environment: it helps to reduce commuting and pollution, and with fewer people in the office, you can reduce your power consumption and costs.

7. Reduce waste

If you haven't already made the switch to more sustainable packaging practices, look for FSC-certified products and make sure any plastics are made from recycled materials where possible.

Look for opportunities to upcycle or recycle within your business – from mobile phones and old computers to fire extinguishers, gas bottles or polystyrene. Local recycling centres may collect these from your premises, so schedule this into your business operating cycle.