Masterminds go green for business

Business owner Clare Whalley is continuing the inspiring work of past Sutton Chamber president Katie Hale 's Sutton Coldfield EcoPledge.

Clare (pictured), who runs Meta4 Business Coaching and is also a vice president of the Chamber, was keen to spread the EcoPledge sentiment and therefore invited a guest speaker Lisa Sweeting along to her Mastermind Networking Group to share her expertise.

Lisa runs a business called Green Sense Events and she talked through how firms can still meet their own business needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Lisa 's passion is sustainability and invited everyon to introduce sustainable practices into their lives and businesses.

She said: “One of the benefits of lockdown is many of us started working more from home, we 've been able to connect more with nature and our local community and really appreciate what is on offer on our doorstep.

“My hope is that businesses will shift towards more local suppliers to reduce carbon emissions and support the local economy and start to understand that however large or small every organisation has their part to play in climate change. ”

Sharing plenty of useful tips, she helped to inspire members to make their own eco pledges.

Karen Edwards of Bright Events has committed to having recycling bins in the office, introducing LED lightbulbs and finding a local office supply company, rather than shopping online.

Tine, at Calluna Nutrition, vowed to turn off the printer and lights in rooms that are not in use and plant flower beds for bees and bumblebees.

Fellow Chamber member YMCA is committing to writing a sustainability plan to be rolled out across its sites.

Tamworth-based Blue Footprint will be recycling all computer equipment, Sutton Town Hall have eradicated single use plastic glasses from their bar area and Ark Media now recycle all of their batteries.

Not only is Kate Curry of the Curry Design Studio pledging to walk to the office more often, she is focusing on the impact of the firm 's digital economy by tidying up inboxes more often.

She said: “The main reasons for walking to work two to three times a week was to ditch the diesel and go eco - but I've noticed other benefits too.

“I feel better in myself, definitely fitter, and it gives me 30 minutes mental head space before I hit the emails at 9am.

“So I start my day more relaxed and clear-headed. Recycling has helped us feel we are 'doing our bit' but has made us far more aware of activities in the business that generate unnecessary waste.

“Our categorised recycling makes recycling easy, but also shows where most of our waste is (paper)! It's helped to change our habits for the better, and saves paper, ink, and money! ”

For more information on the EcoPledge click here.

Find out more about Mastermind Networking here.