Environmentally conscious businesses are growing more and more popular every year, and it’s not hard to see why. Evidence of climate change that is impacting human life has been mounting for decades, and with each new wave of changes, more and more people are making choices to do business with the companies that are doing their part to have a healthy planet. Unfortunately for many delivery businesses, this means rethinking most of the processes used to market and deliver goods, since they are currently optimized for speed and cost efficiency, but not necessarily for energy-efficiency or waste reduction. Here are five fast ways you can make big changes, starting with the adoption of electric bikes.

1. Get Your Delivery Team Off Gasoline

Bike delivery has long been popular because of the decreased costs of operating a human-powered vehicle, but they aren’t always feasible. The further your courier has to go to drop off your goods, the less likely it is that a bicycle will be an efficient choice, and high volume delivery businesses like takeout restaurants often find couriers can’t keep up with the pace of business of the busiest nights. Hybrid options like electric tricycles for adults are an attractive alternative. With better stability than a bicycle and an electric assist motor that saves your delivery riders’ legs, you can decrease your company’s use of petroleum while providing customers with the same speedy service they have come to expect.

2. Double Down on Digital Marketing

Marketing is a major investment for delivery businesses, because the people in your coverage area need to know you are there, when you’re open, and what your menu looks like if you’re going to get any orders. Traditionally, this is accomplished with a wide range of marketing options that include billboards, print ads, and some digital materials. For restaurants, handbills and flyers are huge, as is branded packaging. Shifting your investment to digital resources and finding ways to reduce the use of physical materials can greatly decrease your overall waste production. The easiest way is to shrink the size of flyers while providing QR codes and web links to open up extended information, like a menu.

3. Lower Inventory on Hand, Buy Daily

Less inventory on hand means less waste if some goes unused, but it also means you’ve got a greater chance of selling out during high demand periods. Offset this by purchasing ingredients and other supplies more often. It might cost more at first, but increased customer satisfaction and the ability to respond faster to demand changes can bring a greater return than the investment cost that comes from reduced volume discounts.

4. Offer Paper-Free Receipts

Many modern POS platforms support texting or emailing receipts. While some customers will want paper, providing the option when ordering can save a lot of trees, making your business even more eco-friendly.

5. Consider Sponsoring Green Initiatives

Equipping your delivery team with a women’s electric bike to avoid adding to the demand for oil is  a big step, but don’t underestimate the additional benefits that supporting green regulations or sponsoring eco-friendly non-profits can bring. A few visible sponsorships for organizations making real change demonstrates commitment to the planet and shows you give back, and many customers who care about eco-friendly policies will respond to it.