Giving Thanks to the Planet: 5 Ways Businesses Can Support Sustainability

Thanksgiving Reflections: Building a Greener Future for Your Business

As we approach Thanksgiving, gratitude is on everyone’s mind. It’s a time to reflect on what we value most—family, friends, opportunities, and the planet that sustains us all. At RMA, we’re especially thankful for the businesses and individuals who are working toward a greener, healthier future.

This holiday season, we invite you to consider how your business can extend its gratitude to the planet. Taking steps to protect the environment doesn’t just benefit the Earth—it also strengthens your brand, engages your team, and contributes to a more sustainable economy. Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to take it further, we’re here to help you navigate the path forward.

Here are five impactful ways your business can show thanks to the planet this Thanksgiving.

1. Understand the Environmental Regulations That Apply to You

Here's the big one - it's not optional! The foundation of sustainability is compliance. You can’t truly build a sustainable operation if you’re not meeting the environmental regulations that apply to your business. Understanding these requirements is the first and most critical step toward reducing your impact on the planet while avoiding costly fines and operational disruptions.

Key regulations every business should be aware of include:

• Clean Water Act (CWA): Ensures water discharges meet standards to protect waterways. Facilities may need NPDES permits for stormwater runoff or process wastewater.
• Clean Air Act (CAA): Covers air emissions from equipment, operations, and fuel combustion, sometimes requiring air permits and reporting for regulated pollutants.
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Governs the management of hazardous, universal, and solid waste, emphasizing proper disposal and recycling practices.
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Requires facilities to report hazardous chemical storage and releases (e.g., Tier II and TRI reporting).
• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule: Focuses on preventing oil spills from aboveground storage tanks and ensuring preparedness for spill containment through SPCC plans.
• Environmental Training: Many regulations require environmental training to ensure employees understand compliance expectations and environmental responsibilities. Providing regular training is essential—after all, how can your team follow the rules if they don’t know what they are? Investing in training helps build awareness, reduce mistakes, and foster a culture of sustainability.

Ensuring your business is compliant with these regulations isn’t just about meeting legal obligations—it’s about protecting the environment and positioning your company as a responsible leader in your industry. The best way to get ahold of what applies to you and what you need to do? Schedule an environmental audit with our professionals at RMA!

Quick Tip: Use our free online environmental compliance assessment to get a quick look at which regulations may apply to your operations prior to scheduling an audit.

2. Reduce Waste in Your Operations

Thanksgiving often reminds us of the abundance we enjoy, but it’s also a good time to reflect on ways to cut waste. Conduct a waste audit to identify areas where your business can reduce, reuse, or recycle materials. From minimizing paper use to streamlining production processes, small efforts can lead to big reductions in landfill contributions.

Quick Tip: Host a team challenge to reduce waste over the holiday season, with incentives for creative, sustainable solutions.

3. Prioritize Energy Efficiency

The cooler months can lead to higher energy consumption, but there are ways to offset this. Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting, install programmable thermostats, or invest in renewable energy credits to lower your carbon footprint. By focusing on energy efficiency, your business can show gratitude to the planet while saving money.

Quick Tip: Share your energy savings with your employees and customers to inspire them to make similar changes at home.

4. Support Local and Sustainable Suppliers

Thanksgiving is a celebration of harvests and local abundance, making it the perfect time to evaluate your supply chain. Partnering with local or eco-friendly vendors not only reduces transportation emissions but also supports sustainable practices in your community.

Quick Tip: Highlight these partnerships in your marketing materials to show your commitment to sustainability.

5. Commit to a Greener Future

Take this opportunity to set ambitious sustainability goals for your business. Whether it’s achieving zero waste, reducing emissions, or creating a comprehensive environmental compliance plan, committing to long-term change is a powerful way to give thanks to the planet.

Quick Tip: Use tools like our free assessment tool to identify areas for improvement and start building a roadmap to sustainability.

A Season of Action and Gratitude

Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday—it’s a reminder of our responsibility to care for the world around us. This season, let’s take steps to protect the planet that provides us with so much. By reducing waste, prioritizing energy efficiency, supporting sustainable suppliers, giving back, and committing to long-term change, your business can make a meaningful impact.

At RMA, we’re here to help you on your sustainability journey, whether you’re just starting out or looking to tackle more advanced environmental challenges. Contact us today to learn how we can support your business with waste audits, energy efficiency programs, and comprehensive environmental compliance solutions.

From all of us at RMA, we wish you a warm and sustainable Thanksgiving. Let’s work together to give thanks to the planet—not just during the holidays, but every day of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!