Can SME's be sustainable?

I'd say 50% of the people I talk to, mostly small business owners, ask this question based on two assumptions:

A) Small and medium-sized businesses don't have significant social or environmental footprints.

B) Most have neither the money nor the time to invest sustainability.

While it's true that the big boys have taken the initiative, SMEs have an incredible capacity to create meaningful change, by shear numbers alone. In Quebec for example, 85% of businesses are SME's, meaning that small actions can make a big difference when they add up.

Small and medium organizations actually have a much easier time going green for three reasons:


1. The first step is always to mobilize the entire staff, and this is easier when you have a small number of departments and employees.

2. The first actions taken are generally the easiest - and the most profitable. Investments in energy efficiency and waste reduction in particular usually pay off in the short term.

3. Expectations just aren't as high. Big companies have big perceived responsibilities, and must now push the envelope further and further to stay ahead of their competition. People don't expect as much from a smaller company, so even small steps can improve its image and help it stand out from the competition while creating measurable benefits for communities.

It all boils down to that fact that SME's have to step up now, both to remain competitive and to prevent serious social and environmental problems like climate change from going past the point of no return.

That's why sustainable.Agency focuses on SME's, or SMO's (small and medium organizations) as we like to call them. Contact us to find out how to become a Green leader.

What do you think? Can smaller organizations really make a difference? I'd love to hear about any challenges implementing changes within your organization. Consider this a space to share best-practices.