As a key link between industrial producers and consumers, retailers play a crucial role in shaping consumption patterns, which can have a significant impact on resource sustainability and environmental well-being. Additionally, physical retail outlets, while essential in the modern world, can be substantial consumers of energy, contributing to ecological concerns in regions reliant on fossil fuels for electricity.
Amidst the escalating challenges of pollution and climate change globally, the shift towards green retail has become not just an option but a necessity for retailers. Embracing eco-friendly practices is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference and position your business as a responsible steward of the environment, enhancing your brand reputation and meeting the growing demand for sustainable choices among consumers. To that end, here are several effective strategies that retail businesses can employ to actively reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
1) Offer QR Code Payment as an Option
It takes a surprising amount of resources to count, store, process, and transport physical cash. Contactless payments through bank or ewallet QR code transfers are not only less wasteful but they’re also less error-prone, saving your business substantial amounts of cash over the long term.
In the Philippines, Maya QR has become the QR payment solution of choice for businesses of all sizes. Maya QR simplifies the payment process by letting merchants use a single QR code that follows the National QR Code Standard of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This code will be compatible with all financial institutions supervised by the BSP.
You can set up your QR code effortlessly with the free Maya QR kit, after which you'll be prepared to receive QR payments. You can share your QR code on your website and social media accounts, send it through messaging apps, or display it in your physical store. You'll be able to receive payments from your customers wherever they are.
2) Start or Join a Recycling Program
Starting a recycling program or joining an existing one sponsored by a partner prevents needless waste and brings down the cost of sourcing quality recycled materials. Something as simple as offering customers a bin for their used clothes or electronics can go a long way in keeping valuable materials from being wasted in landfills.
3) Use Electronic Store Displays
The business and environmental costs of cardboard and plastic displays can be substantial, especially for retail businesses that have to roll out new displays for every seasonal event and promo. With the acquisition and running costs of digital screens having dropped so much in recent years, it may make sense to replace at least some of your store displays with electronic alternatives. Over their typical lifetime, they can offer your store significant savings on printing and disposal costs while also helping you prevent substantial waste production.
4) Offset Your Energy Costs with Solar Panels
If your store has ready access to a roof or a sun-facing exterior wall, you may be able to significantly reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar energy infrastructure. While initially expensive, solar panels will eventually pay for themselves and the ROI is likely to continuously improve as conventional fossil fuel-derived energy becomes more expensive.
5) Encourage Customers to Bring Their Own Shopping Bags
The Philippines is currently facing major issues with plastic waste. Single-use plastic bags are now choking the country’s waters, devastating wildlife and contributing to a glut of microplastics in the environment. Charging customers for plastic bags or giving them small incentives for bringing their own reusable bags can go a long way in minimizing your business’s role in the crisis.
6) Use Green Cleaning Products
Get in touch with suppliers that offer greener alternatives to harsh cleaning products. Newer sustainable products coming on the market are not only better for the environment but also safer for your staff as well.
7) Install Modern Resource-Saving Fixtures
Energy and water-saving fixtures are now more accessible than ever. On your store’s next refit, make sure to prioritize the installation of these earth-friendly solutions.
8) Set Up a Resale Program
Reselling of used, damaged, or returned goods at a discount may not be a great fit for all businesses. Regardless, it does offer a great way to cut down on waste, presenting a win-win opportunity that benefits you, your customers, and the environment we all share.
9) Encourage Customers to Pick Up Their Online Purchases
The logistics activities that make retail possible are a major cause of pollution and greenhouse gas production. The rise of online shopping and the use of delivery services for small purchases has only added to both of these issues. Encouraging your customers to pick up their purchases will help save on packaging material and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also increase the odds of additional conversions at your physical store, reducing the combined environmental impacts of each transaction.
Offer Greener Ways to Pay with Maya QR Code Payment Solutions
Adding an in-store QR code POS system is good for business and the environment. Check out Maya’s in-store payment solutions to see if Maya QR and other Maya Business solutions are right for your business. Create your Maya Business Manager account today to get your payment QR code kit and start offering greener payments at your physical store.
Signing up for Maya Business Manager automatically lets you take advantage of the Maya 1-2-3 Grow business growth bundle. Maya 1-2-3 Grow gives you a 1% MDR (merchant discount rate) discount on all QR Ph transactions for 3 months after signing. That’s PHP 14,600 in transaction savings for every PHP 1 million in QR Ph sales, just for signing up.
The Maya 1-2-3 Grow bundle also gives you access to a feature-rich Maya Business Deposit account for your settlements. Your Maya Business Deposit comes with an amazing 2.5% per annum interest rate, ramping up your business’s earnings by PHP 25,000 each year on every PHP 1 million deposit. Maya Business Deposit’s zero maintaining balance and free transfers via InstaPay and PesoNet also give you more ways to save on your daily finances.
The growth bundle also qualifies you for a Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million—more than enough to implement eco-friendly programs and more at your store. For more compelling loan offers, just use Maya’s business solutions daily.
Sign up for Maya Business Manager today to start offering greener payments and access unlimited growth with Maya 1-2-3 Grow.
