Businesses, like individuals, are being encouraged to go green, and there are many consumers who also demand that the businesses they use adopt similarly environmentally friendly practices to their own. As well as adding recycling bins next to general waste bins, there are many other practices that you can adopt for your business.
1. Solar panels also significantly cut your carbon footprint.
Installing a wind turbine, or even erecting solar panels atop your business premises, may not be financially viable for many small businesses, but it is worth considering that there are a number of government grants and rebates available to those businesses that do so. Alternatively, you can look for energy suppliers that offer specific green energy packages.
2. Power saving habits can go a long way.
It isn’t just about the electricity and gas type that you use, or how it is created, though. Consider your usage levels, and look for ways to reduce them. Automatic lights that turn off when nobody is in the room, power saving settings on computers, and power conserving cycles for your machinery are some viable methods of further reducing your energy consumption levels. These can even save your business money, as well as reducing your environmental impact.
3. Consider hybrid and electric cars for your business.
If you have your own vehicle fleet, whether they are cars for the sales team or trucks for deliveries, look into hybrid and even electric models. While pure electric cars are unlikely to offer the kind of range that you require, hybrids can greatly reduce the amount of petrol or diesel that you use. If you outsource deliveries and logistics, then companies like TNT Direct offer green fleets so that you can rest assured that you are still doing your bit to reduce carbon emissions when you outsource to another organisation.
4. Embrace a fully paperless office.
Office supplies place a surprising burden on the environment. If you are unable to adopt a fully paperless office, ensure that you use recycled paper products. Look at non-toxic ink alternatives and remanufactured cartridges, and always ensure that your boxes and other packaging products are biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable. Even items like scissors can be made from recycled materials, therefore reducing your burden on the environment. Comprehensive recycling programs can be very effective.
5. Consume Less.
Over-consumption is probably the biggest cause of business environmental ruin. There is always so much to do to keep the business running. These are a few things your business could adopt. Advice employees to their computers sleep when they’re not in use instead of using screen savers. Install motion-sensor lights that turn off automatically when no one is there. Use compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, in all of your light fixtures. Get automatic thermostats to turn the heat or air conditioning down or off after hours.
While some ecologically friendly techniques may prove cost prohibitive, there are bound to be some practices you can implement and products you can start buying that will help you to reduce your effects on the environment and reduce your carbon footprint. What’s more, some of these techniques could even save you money when buying office supplies and other items, too.
