21 CSR measures for companies - simple but effective

Many companies want to work with Sustainability and look for the first simple CSR measures. The range is inexhaustible and we have listed many more in our other sustainability tips.

Here we have tried to compile easy-to-implement and effective measures for more sustainability.

They can and should provide inspiration and create a good introduction to the topic of sustainability for companies. Once motivation has been awakened, further measures can be taken and systematically expanded. We think it's important that companies don't just stick to stand-alone measures, but take a more holistic approach to the topic of sustainability. A well thought-out and appropriate Sustainability strategy.

But now to the CSR measures that are easy to implement.

Enjoy reading and be inspired!

If you are looking for even more knowledge, we have a Comprehensive guide to sustainability strategy in companies compiled.

1. organise events in unused spaces

Especially for events, it is a good idea to search your own network for unused premises. How about interim utilisation? The production hall that is empty at the weekend, the café that is closed in the morning, the children's toy shop or even the old palace that is currently unused. Such locations give the event a special charm. And temporary use reduces the total amount of space used and therefore almost always the resources utilised and consequently the necessary land sealing.

Share sustainable business premises

2. company account with Carsharing

Many companies still maintain smaller or larger vehicle fleets. It is well known that individually used cars stand unused for up to 90% of the time. Accounts with car sharing schemes are particularly suitable for service companies. They are usually cheaper than owning a car and are much more environmentally friendly thanks to collective use, especially in terms of resources used (fewer vehicles) and space utilised. A simple but effective CSR measure.

Caution! Be aware of the rebound effect: The convenience of car sharing means you shouldn't drive more, otherwise the positive effect will be cancelled out - and possibly turn directly negative.

3. (Alternatives to) business trips

Business trips to other teams, partners or customers are part of everyday life for many companies. For many of them, this also includes travelling by plane within Germany. Video conferencing is a real alternative to reduce business travel and thus the enormous environmental impact! Let's give it a real chance. Here are tips for the integration of Skype, to the Skype alternative zoom and general tips for a Good video conferencing.

If a business trip cannot be avoided or if it is simply a matter of commuting, then our absolute tip: use the train more often! A simple and effective sustainability measure. Compared to travelling by car or taking a time-consuming flight, you can work in a relaxed manner and be really productive on the train. There is now Wi-Fi on most trains and, in most cases, the railway is even the Faster alternative.

4. bike leasing for employees

As an employer or self-employed person, you can lease not only cars but also bicycles. Many employees obviously appreciate such an offer. More information on this CSR measure can be found, for example here.

5. Company cargo bikes

As a company, especially in cities, it can be worthwhile using cargo bikes for some transport. The example of a Berlin chimney sweep shows that it saves money, is faster, attracts attention and reduces the burden on the environment. There are also various Subsidies for cargo bikes.

Cargo bikes as effective CSR measures

6th CSR measure in workshops? Make it more environmentally friendly!

Many people are familiar with the flood of post-its and printouts for workshops. The first digital tools are starting to counteract this, for example Mind Objects. If you still like it haptic, then use rewritable ones, for example, magnetic Post-Its. And if you need the slips of paper anyway, then the ones from Recycled paper.

7. making events more sustainable

Events can often require an unnecessary amount of resources, catering can have too much food left over, and participants travel more by plane than by train. No disposable crockery and cutlery, including no disposable straws. So here too, a lot can be done to become more environmentally friendly. For assistance, there is the Guide with checklist of the Local Agenda Aalen or the guideline from the Federal Ministry for the Environment. And for those who want to delve deeper into this measure for more sustainability, it is worth taking a look at the various Further training to participate.

CSR measures at events

8. green hosting of web services

Our websites and other online services are usually hosted on external servers. But how much effort do our hosters put into things? What about renewable energies, resource conservation and employee satisfaction? The range of green hosters is growing all the time. After lengthy research, we decided in favour of Manitou decided.

9. sustainable bank and financial flows

The impact of cash flows for the promotion of sustainable (and non-sustainable) companies and projects is enormous. For this reason, companies in particular should think carefully about which bank they use to manage their accounts and invest their money. In Germany, the GLSwhich Triodos and the Ethical bank those that are eligible for sustainable business accounts, as well as for investments that Environmental Bank. These guarantee that the money for a Sustainable development and, for example, no arms companies or climate-damaging companies are supported. A comparison is worthwhile for this CSR measure.

Methods and best practice for sustainability in your mailbox

10. green electricity provider

By now, most people are aware of the simplicity of switching electricity providers and the effect of sourcing electricity from renewable energies. Now it's time to pay consistent attention to this in the corporate context and make the switch. Here are a few important Background and comparisons.

11. home office

Offering employees the opportunity to work from home is in keeping with the times, often improves the work-life balance, can help to increase creativity and also reduces travelling distances and, in some cases, the use of space. However, it is important for each company to check to what extent and under what conditions these measures work for greater sustainability. Team spirit and productivity should not suffer as a result. Additional use of resources (due to duplication of technical equipment) should also be avoided. Here are some more Tips for home office for both employers and employees.

12. donate food

Everyone who works in food retail or runs a restaurant or café experiences every day that not all food can be sold. Especially non-perishable food. This also applies to catered events. There are now numerous ways to usefully pass on the leftover food, for example by means of Foodsharing, Too Good To Go and others.

13. favour regional suppliers

Sustainability also usually has to do with promoting regional economic cycles and therefore with the question of who a company chooses as a supplier or service provider. To start with, it is often enough to make a resolution to choose a supplier no more than 150 kilometres away and you will quickly find completely new partners. In addition, such a measure can help employees with ties to their home country to identify more strongly with the company.

14. sustainable and ergonomic workplaces

Sustainable furniture is made from natural materials and is ideally manufactured regionally. It is free from toxins and harmful chemicals and is therefore good for the health of employees and the environment. Ergonomic design also prevents health problems in the workplace. Adequate settings on the computer, desk and office chair (e.g. distance and inclination of the screen, height of the desk, chair and armrest) as well as good air and lighting conditions (room temperature, incidence of light, humidity) ensure better employee health.

15 Mental health and sports programmes for employees

The health of employees is also part of corporate sustainability and physical exercise is an important cornerstone. Companies can offer sports activities for employees annually and up to €600 each (since 1 January 2020) tax-free subsidise. Time off in lieu, overtime accounts and the like are just the beginning of an appropriate work-life balance.

16. free energy advice

For the first steps towards more Environmental protection an energy efficiency consultation is worthwhile. This is offered nationwide by the BAFA up to 80% of the costs and some municipalities such as Offenbach even offer their companies free consultations.

17. environmentally friendly shipping transport boxes

Instead of using standard disposable cardboard boxes for shipping, more and more companies are switching to shipping boxes. One of the best examples is the green Mail order company memo. Introducing this in your own company can involve a lot of effort, but it can be worthwhile, especially with large shipping volumes. One of the most effective and impressive CSR measures for customers.

18. donate old devices and decommissioned IT

When technology becomes too old for company use, it is often still more than sufficient for private use or for clubs. Donating old equipment is a real alternative to disposing of it and can be a great help to people or organisations in need. The Berlin city cleaning e.g. has its own subpage for this.
Another option is to hand over IT to professionals for data erasure and refurbishment. AfB offers this service and also consistently pursues the idea of inclusion - making it a prime example of Social enterprise (social business) represent. Worth supporting, right?

19. refurbished IT instead of new

Instead of buying new items, you should check whether laptops and business smartphones can also be refurbished. This reduces the ecological and social impact enormously! Numerous professional IT providers can now be found under the keyword "refurbished". (Read more about the topic)

20. pay attention to seals - also for technology

We are now familiar with labels for organic food or fair trade textiles. But who knows about sustainability labels for technology? In the meantime, the first useful standards have been developed here too and there is certified technology: Energie Star, TCO, Nordic Ecolabel are just a few examples. If you want to support fair and environmentally friendly production, you should definitely check the following before buying IT a look at the different labels throw.

Labels in comparison, compiled by Utopia.de (c),
Compilation of different labels in comparison of utopia.de (c) "The most important seals for smartphones and laptops (© Energy Star, TCO, Nordic Ecolabel, EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel)"

21. carpooling made easy

Why not ensure that employees become passengers? In the meantime there are appswhich are explicitly aimed at companies to make it easier for employees to form car pools. Incidentally, you are also insured on these journeys for work purposes as long as the intention or purpose of travelling to work is given.

These were our simple but effective CSR measures designed to make it easier to become more sustainable.

Do not stop at individual measures: Recognising sustainability as a driver of future business models

To bring about major change in companies and organisations, it must go beyond individual measures in the long term. We therefore offer support in the development of sustainability strategies and jointly develop sustainability measures for your company. For more in-depth preparation, we provide support with analyses such as Sustainability-SWOT or materiality analyses.

Do you want to get out of your comfort zone and into the transformation?

Ask me for a free information meeting.
I am ready with advice and pleasure.

Toni Koç
Sustainability strategy and reporting topics

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