6 Ways to Keep Your Business Green

April 22 is Earth Day, a chance to hit pause, look around, and think about how we treat our planet.

Let’s face it, big corporations need to own up and lead the charge in fixing the mess they’ve put us in, instead of spending millions on 11-minute joyrides to space.

As for the rest of us? There are still tons of ways we can contribute to a better future. In fact, small businesses have serious power to make a difference, one green step at a time.

At WHC, we run on 100% Canadian renewable energy, and we’re always looking for ways to tread lighter on the land. This Earth Day, we're challenging fellow Canadian businesses to think beyond reusable coffee cups and take bold, creative steps toward sustainability.

Here are 6 ways your business can make a meaningful impact.

• 1. Host green for a clean conscience
• 2. Time to simplify
• 3. Keep it local and lasting
• 4. Educate without preaching
• 5. Green your team’s day-to-day
• 6. Build a climate-conscious brand
• Final Word

1. Host green for a clean conscience

Ever wonder what’s powering your website behind the scenes? If your hosting provider runs on fossil fuels, every click could be adding to your carbon footprint.

Big tech burns through massive energy and creates serious e-waste. Their sprawling datacenters, often powered by non-renewables, guzzle electricity, and their “move fast and break things” culture rarely puts the planet first.

Hosting in Canada with WHC means your site runs on cleaner energy sources like hydroelectricity, while keeping your data closer to home. This means reduced data travel (and emissions!), and stronger privacy protections, all while supporting local green infrastructure. 

Keep it local. Keep it sustainable. Keep it Canadian.

2. Time to simplify

We don’t talk enough about digital pollution: Those massive email inboxes, duplicated files, and zombie apps clogging up servers and burning through energy.

Time for a good digital scrub!

• Clean out old emails, unused accounts, and abandoned projects.
• Streamline your website files and compress media where possible.
• Audit your plugins and integrations. Less bloat = less load.

You wouldn’t leave junk lying around your storefront. Don’t do it online, either.

3. Keep it local and lasting

From packaging to office supplies, resist the siren song of big-box imports. Choosing Canadian-made and sustainably sourced products supports the local economy and reduces emissions from global shipping.

• Need swag? Choose products from zero-waste suppliers.
• Shipping? Partner with local couriers and ask about carbon offset options.
• Packaging? Ditch the plastic wrap for recycled or compostable materials.

Remember, every step counts.

4. Educate without preaching

You don’t need to be David Suzuki to inspire change. Share what you're doing, how you’re learning, and where you're improving. Keep it honest and human.

• Post behind-the-scenes content of your eco efforts.
• Highlight your suppliers’ sustainability cred.
• Start conversations in your newsletter or social feeds.

You’re not just selling products. You’re building a community that cares. If you're already a WHC client, be sure to share the love and refer a friend. You’ll get three months of free hosting for every successful referral, and they will too! And hey, that’s one more person hosting green with a Canadian provider that cares about the environment.

5. Green your team’s day-to-day

We’re not just talking about compost bins and LED lights (though those help). Think broader:

• Encourage biking or public transit with small incentives.
• Provide eco-friendly cleaning and bathroom products.
• Opt for remote or hybrid work when possible. It's greener and often more productive!

Even tiny changes can help shift the culture.

6. Build a climate-conscious brand

Your values are part of your brand. Committing to the environment is the right thing to do, but it’s also good business.

• Add a short sustainability statement to your website. Or a Green Hosting Badge if you’re with WHC!
• Join Canadian business coalitions that support climate action.
• Run Earth Day promos that donate part of your sales to tree-planting or conservation groups.

8 in 10 Canadians value a sustainable lifestyle, so make sure your customers know what you stand for.

Final Word

Being green isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention.

From coast to coast, Canadian small businesses are stepping up, showing that climate action doesn’t have to be complex or costly.

So this Earth Day, let’s move past the token gestures and start thinking differently. Whether it’s switching your hosting, streamlining your digital ecosystem, or just saying “nope” to more plastic junk, we can all do our part.

It’s time to make every click count. Choose eco-friendly hosting with WHC and power your website the sustainable way, every day.