A Small Business with Big Environmental Intentions
Running a small training company with a modest conference space in Poznań, I’ve long felt that my business should reflect the way I live personally. I haven’t eaten meat for years, I try to reduce waste, and I make choices that support a more sustainable lifestyle. It felt only natural to ask myself: how can I translate these values into the daily operations of my company?
The first challenge appeared right away: lack of accessible knowledge. In Poznań I couldn’t find a single in-person training on ESG or sustainable business practices tailored to micro-enterprises. Eventually, I found a free online course organized by a state agency. It provided some basics but very little practical guidance. Professional ESG consulting was financially out of reach — most offers started at several thousand złoty, far beyond what a small business like mine can justify. What finally helped was a simple, practical checklist developed by a Warsaw-based NGO, designed specifically for small companies like mine.
Based on it, I introduced several changes: I switched to a more environmentally friendly electricity tariff, I encourage participants to use public or low-emission transport, I moved entirely to vegetarian and locally sourced catering, and I eliminated paper altogether — all materials, invoices and agreements are now digital. These changes do cost something, but not so much that they threaten the business. The more expensive solutions — like comprehensive building upgrades or certified management systems — I had to set aside. My clients can pay a little more for greener services, but not enough to support major investments.
I also chose not to pursue any sustainability certifications. To me, many of them feel like a way of extracting money from small entrepreneurs rather than genuinely supporting greener practices. I wish there were free certificates for micro-businesses, more free training opportunities, and widely accessible, practical information.
I want to continue moving in this direction, but I sometimes feel the overall trend is going the opposite way — fewer people seem to care about environmental issues than before. Still, I believe that even a small company can make meaningful changes. And if I can align my business with my values, that alone is worth the effort.