Businesses in Cape Town Making a Difference

Nowadays there is quite a heavy focus on environmental issues in business. It seems that more and more an eco-friendly orientated business is seen in a more of positive light than their no-so-green counterparts.

This high regard for such a socially responsible business is usually acknowledged by not only other businesses and the government, but also by customers. To be seen to publicly care about issues such as your company’s carbon footprint, or a rise in levels of greenhouse gases due to a proliferation of industry worldwide, is to secure your company’s reputation as one that cares for the good of the earth.

Sustainability as “business as usual” is quite evident in Cape Town. The Accelerate Cape Town initiative is an example of that – it is business-led and aims to bring together stakeholders to encourage sustainable growth in the Cape.

This initiative is backed by 36 of Cape Town’s largest organisations and they even helped to define business vision for the next 20 years for the Cape Town City Region. “Vision 2030″ describes South Africa as Africa’s global city. A key part of this vision is sustainability, and Cape Town businesses are taking this heart by supporting and driving various initiatives in the Cape area.

The list of business organisations involved in this green initiative is impressive – Investec, Old Mutual, Ernst & Young, Cadiz, BATSA, Santam, Woolworths, Media 24, Distell, Webber Wentzel and KPMG all had their representatives present when members from the City of Cape Town met with the Cape Town Partnership as well as a number of smaller organisations.

This meeting, sponsored by Investec, was a chance for these organisations to show their dedication to the growing status of large businesses and sustainability in the Cape, as well as offering an opportunity for them to learn from one another.

Green Businesses in Cape Town:
Sustainability, no longer just for fringe of progressive companies, has now entered into the mainstream organisations, here are a few companies in Cape Town who have been embraced this notion:

Green Building Council of SA: “A green building is a building which is energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible”

African Carbon Trust: “The African Carbon Trust (ACT) is a non-profit organisation aimed at creating climate change awareness and leveraging sustainable technology to help alleviate poverty in Africa”

Jane Iredale Concept Store: “Strawberry International imports and distributes a variety of natural and organic products”
Tips/Ways To Green Your Business:

If you’re interested in running your business in a responsible and green way, here are a few tips:

Turn off your equipment when you’re not using it, the energy saved can be up to 25%

Produce Double sided documents thus you will save paper.

Buy paper from a supplier who guarantees maximum available recycled content.

Ensure all taps in your building do not drip and are closed tightly.

Refurbish old existing office furniture before you decided on buying new items.

Create a video blog