What is CSR?
Within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), companies assume responsibility in various areas. CSR covers the areas of society, environment, employees, customers/partners and business. A responsible company integrates social and ecological concerns into its business activities and into its interaction with stakeholders in order to act responsibly and sustainably.
Some companies shy away from implementing CSR in their corporate culture because of fear of high costs. With the following tips I would like to show you that you can achieve a considerable effect even with little money.
Code of Conduct:
An effective instrument is to anchor a Code of Conduct within the contracts with business partners and employees. This should provide an orientation for actions and avoid unwanted actions. Responsible, ethically correct and honest conduct is expected. Remember: fair contracts that are concluded in the long run are particularly sustainable.
Do good with old hardware?
That works! Some NGOs have specialized in taking over decommissioned IT hardware, refurbishing it and reselling it afterwards. The profit is used for charitable purposes. We work together with AfB .
Paper:
Did you know that recycled paper no longer differs externally from “fresh” paper? Amazing progress has been made in recent years. Use recycled paper in the future and conserve our resources. By the way, this also applies to toilet paper ;) When using recycled paper, make sure that it is produced without chlorine. Ideally, you should pay attention to appropriate standards. We only use recycled paper that has been certified by Blauer Engel. Avoid printing on paper: act green and keep it on the screen! By the way: incorrect prints are excellent as draft paper.
Green energy:
Save our resources and switch to green electricity. In contrast to the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, the production of green electricity is free of carbon dioxide (CO2). Green electricity sustainably increases the share of renewable energies and reduces the consumption of fossil energies, which are only available to a limited extent. In many cases, the expansion of green electricity plants strengthens regional economic structures.
Saving energy:
Replace your normal light bulbs with LED bulbs. Attach small information signs to light switches. Install a main switch: The last employee of the evening switches off the entire power supply of the office.
Waste sorting:
Implement waste sorting in the office. Waste sorting conserves valuable resources and protects the environment from even more destruction. Most of the recyclable materials in the waste can be sensibly recycled through waste sorting. Try to avoid plastic in the office.
Regional and local partners:
Make sure that you use regional and local partners for your business activities. Focus on the so-called local added value, which among other things creates jobs and reduces CO2 emissions.
Employees:
Take care of your employees! Show your employees that you care about them. Do you offer further training? It doesn't always have to be an external coach. Use the internal potential of your employees. Have employees with special expertise in one area train other employees in it. Do you know how satisfied your employees are? Implement a feedback questionnaire and regularly check their satisfaction level. Use the results as an opportunity to make your company even more employee-friendly. In general: a fresh fruit basket is always welcome.
Social Day:
Get involved in your community: show your environment that you care! Why not organize a social day from time to time and thus support a charitable project in your immediate neighborhood?