The importance of corporate sustainability, the practice of conducting business in a socially and environmentally responsible way, continues to grow as consumers increasingly expect companies to adopt sustainable practices, products and services. This shift is further reinforced by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulations and standards.
Sustainability in business is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a smart strategy that helps reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, enhance brand reputation and build long-term resilience. Corporate sustainability trends show companies are taking measurable steps to reduce their environmental footprint.
The good news? You don’t need a massive overhaul to make an impact. Start strengthening your corporate sustainability efforts today with these three simple changes.
3 Simple Changes to Be More Sustainable
Offer Sustainable Products and Packaging
Businesses should continually evaluate their product design and material sourcing. Simpler product design and recyclable component materials can help goods be recycled into new products at the end of their lifecycles. Biodegradable packaging material, material that can break down naturally in landfills without harming soil and air quality, is another option to consider.
The Federal International family of companies has met the growing demand for sustainable foam and plastic manufacturing and fabrication.
- Year to do date in 2025, Federal Foam Technologies has used approximately 1,047,495 lbs. of post-consumer plastic in its PET form and trim components for construction, agriculture and power sports OEM customers, 46% of the total lbs. used thus far. This is a 20% increase from 2024 in the amount of post-consumer plastic used for form and trim components.
- Federal Eco Foam’s rebond foam is a recycled component foam solution that elevates the sustainability and recyclability of finished products in sectors such as furniture, packaging, and sports and leisure. At the end of a product’s lifecycle, the rebond can be recycled to a third life and beyond.
When looking for ways to increase sustainability of products and packaging, producers must consider the scope 3 impacts of their supply chain. Do your suppliers have eco-friendly, ethical business practices? Can you find suppliers of recyclable materials within a smaller geographic radius to limit transportation emissions?
Reduce Waste and Improve Recycling
Partnering with a trusted waste management company is a strategic step to achieve corporate sustainability goals. Companies with a recycling program have observed numerous benefits, such as operational cost savings, potential new revenue streams and improved overall sustainability.
The right recycling partner can also help advise companies on recycling practices that make their manufacturing processes more circular. These types of services help:
- Quantify end-of-life impacts of product packaging and components
- Reduce waste at the source with smart material choices
- Seek ways to reuse material for greater product recyclability
- Set up recycling programs for material recovery, reprocessing (if needed) and reuse
- Conserve energy and emissions with efficient manufacturing and sourcing activities
Federal Recycling’s national accounts and brokerage teams can assist manufacturers with creating sustainable manufacturing processes and sourcing recycled raw materials.
Engage Employees in Sustainability Efforts
It’s essential to engage employees in achieving corporate sustainability goals. Company leaders should ensure that top-level sustainability goals are embedded into each organizational function and offer training and resources that help employees execute those goals.
Intracompany competition and compensation benefits for sustainability goal achievement can also incentivize employees to stay engaged and motivated. By recognizing progress, offering meaningful incentives and making sustainability part of everyday work, companies can turn individual actions into lasting, organization-wide impact.
Companies can also provide employees with practical tips for working more sustainably such as carpooling, remote work options and ways to conserve water, energy and materials to limit environmental impact.
How to Build a Sustainable Business Strategy
To successfully implement a sustainable business strategy, companies must set goals, engage stakeholders, establish relevant KPIs and integrate sustainability into their daily operations. Businesses can align their efforts with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 globally recognized objectives to achieve a sustainable, equitable and prosperous future by 2030.
In 2023, Federal International signed the UN Global Compact and committed to Sustainable Development Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production with initiatives focusing on stormwater runoff management around our recycling plants and sustainable inputs within our foam manufacturing and fabrication operations.
Take A Step Toward a More Sustainable Business Future
Getting started with sustainability doesn’t require a major overhaul. Adjustments such as offering sustainable products and packaging, reducing waste and improving recycling and engaging employees in sustainability efforts can significantly reduce your environmental footprint, strengthen your brand and build long-term business resilience.
By making a commitment to sustainable practices, businesses not only protect the environment but also encourage their employees and communities to do the same. For more information on effectively utilizing these techniques, contact us.
