"Reduce, reuse, and recycle" is a catchy song from Jack Johnson that my kids used to love! Their early education in school taught them to enforce their own family's recycling practices making sure no one accidentally tossed a plastic bottle in the trash.

Today's generation doesn't blink at a no-tolerance policy for protecting our planet. Instead, the younger generation workforce is willing to sacrifice for the sake of sustainable practices, and their influence extends into offices globally.

While "going green" was once thought to be a "business thing," today's nonprofit sector must also learn to embrace this mindset and move in a more environmentally-friendly direction.

And while making sure you recycle every possible material, from paper to plastic or glass, is essential, this effort requires organizations to go even further.

Environmental Benefits Of Green Nonprofits

The planet is in a state of crisis from climate threats to pollution, and everyone has a role to play in finding ways to help it recover. Green businesses and nonprofits can help by reducing emissions, turning waste into reusable materials, and producing renewable energy.

The environment is a crucial concern for many businesses. In 2017, the Environment Protection Agency took a survey to gauge how important this issue is to Americans. The results showed that 73% of Americans feel that protecting the environment is very or extremely important. 

Not only that, but 32% of those surveyed also reported that they had made changes in their lifestyle to reduce their environmental impact.

How does this translate to benefit nonprofits? Those organizations prioritizing the work of saving our planet typically see greater employee engagement, earn the respect of the local community, and likely experience long-term growth at a higher rate than those who are not seeking ways to be more environmentally friendly. (Source: Dart, Raymond; Hill, Stephen D. "Green Matters? An Exploration of Environmental Performance in the Nonprofit Sector." Nonprofit Management & Leadership vol. 20 )

Creating a Good Green Strategy 

Many organizations are becoming increasingly aware of how their operations impact the planet in today's digital era, though the full implications of everyday choices remain challenging to assess and monitor.

Using environmentally-friendly materials is a popular first step, but many nonprofits wonder if it's enough. Furthermore, while creating a greener and more sustainable organization sounds like a good idea, the many unknowns make the process difficult. 

Add to this the already overwhelming task of running a nonprofit, raising money, recruiting board members, and retaining a solid volunteer base, and it's a recipe for burnout. 

How does a nonprofit know how much to budget for sustainability projects? Who should decide when to invest in a higher-price product because it's environmentally-friendly vs. saving money that the organization could use for programs or services? 

These questions make it hard for nonprofits to commit and invest in this "go green" mindset. Fortunately, there are resources to help guide nonprofits on this journey. 

There are "green consultants" trained in helping organizations assess their impact (positive or negative) and offer practical solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. Some companies also provide data to help support business decisions like monthly rainfall totals to understand how weather (specifically rainfall) can impact public policy and prevent possible work disruption. 

Can nonprofits afford to go green?

Making your organization environmentally friendly is not just an act of kindness toward the planet. The market for eco-friendly products and services is rising, and those who prioritize the initiative are likely to be ahead in the future. 

However, it can be an expensive investment to make, and nonprofits may be unable to fit the bill. For example, simply switching your next event to include all organic and locally-grown produce could add thousands to your final invoice. Or, choosing to move to a digital and paperless office environment may require the investment of new equipment and process - a short-term expense for long-term gains. 

Ultimately, the organization's leadership (executive team and board of directors) should decide how and when the nonprofit chooses to embrace a more sustainable footprint. Making small incremental changes is a necessary first step - applying for grants, working with local energy providers, and seeking out education or consultive services are all options, too. 

At a minimum, add the subject to your board meeting agenda to begin a healthy discussion around the issue and explore how you can move in this direction. 

Final Thoughts

Green initiatives have been around for decades, but now that the environment is in crisis, they have become a hot-button topic and no longer exclude the nonprofit sector. 

In the past, if your nonprofit wasn't centered around environmental issues, the expectation was much less. But now, donors and the greater community expect everyone to do their part. And, employees are likely to be invested as well. 

The shift to becoming known as an eco-friendly nonprofit is paved with challenges, from cost to education and buy-in from all stakeholders. However, it's wise for any nonprofit to explore how their shop can move in this direction. Whether it's applying for a grant to fund an educational series and staff enrichment, working with local firms to consider using solar panels on facilities, or doing your own research on how your individual office can do its part, it's all a step in the right direction. 

Until next time,

Andrea

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