If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably heard that having strong online content, like photos, videos, or social media posts, helps people discover you. And it’s true! But here’s something you might not have thought about: all that content creation uses energy and creates waste, from powering lights to storing big video files.
These days, almost every business uses photos, videos, and websites to promote what they do. But many people don’t realize that creating and sharing digital content also has an environmental cost.
Here are a few surprising facts:
The internet, videos, and cloud storage together create about 3.7% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions—that’s roughly the same as the entire airline industry.
Watching videos online uses more energy than you might think. For example, streaming one hour of video on a large TV can create up to 55 grams of CO₂. That adds up quickly over time.
People care about the planet. A recent survey found that 8 out of 10 customers are more likely to buy from businesses that are trying to be more environmentally friendly.
The good news? You don’t have to be a sustainability expert to make more eco-friendly choices. A few small changes can make a big difference for the planet and your brand.
Here are some easy, low-stress ways to do it.
Let’s say you run a family-owned bakery and you want a video showing your morning routine. Mixing dough, frosting cupcakes, chatting with customers. Instead of bringing in a crew from out of town, you could hire a local videographer. That cuts down on travel emissions and supports your community.
Other simple ideas:
Use LED lights—they use less power and don’t overheat the room.
Go paperless by using phones or tablets instead of printing shot lists and schedules.
Reuse props and backgrounds for future videos instead of buying new stuff each time.
Once the shoot is done, the editing and storage begin, and that takes energy, too.
Try this:
Use cloud storage providers that run on renewable energy (some, like Google Cloud, do).
Delete extra files you don’t need. That video draft from six months ago? It’s okay to let it go.
Turn off editing equipment when you’re not using it—it’s a simple habit that adds up.
Bonus: a cleaner digital workspace makes it easier to find what you need later.
Even online ads have an environmental impact. Every time someone sees your ad or loads your website, it uses energy on their device and on the servers that store your content.
You can:
Choose a green web host—some providers use renewable energy to power their servers.
Compress your photos and videos so they load faster and use less data.
Focus your ads on the right audience instead of showing the same one to everyone all the time.
And if you still use print materials like flyers or business cards, consider recycled paper or switching to digital alternatives like QR codes or PDFs.
Whether you’re running a product shoot, packing orders, or working on a new campaign, small choices in your daily routine can make a big difference.
Things like:
Using reusable drink bottles and containers on set.
Ordering food from places that use compostable packaging.
Renting gear or borrowing what you need, rather than buying brand-new every time.
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Just start with a few easy changes and go from there.
More and more customers care about how businesses treat people and the planet. So when you show that you care to, through the way you create and share your content, it builds trust and loyalty.
Sustainable media doesn’t mean doing less. It means being smart with what you do and how you do it. It’s about showing up for your values, your customers, and the planet – all at the same time.
And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Whether it’s a photo shoot, a website refresh, or a social campaign, we’ll help you keep it simple, impactful, and sustainable.
Let’s make content that tells your story, and helps the world a little, too.