With everything we’ve learned about the environment over the past few decades, we now realize how important it is to be more conscious about going green. This especially holds true as a business. You have a responsibility to your clients, your colleagues, and the planet. You can make carefully planned decisions about how you run your place of employment to ensure you make a positive impact on the earth. Most importantly, you can do your best to avoid causing further damage to our environment. If everyone makes a similar effort, it can go a long way toward passing on practices in excellence for future generations.
Break Free From Paper Products as Much as Possible
When possible, eliminate paper products in your place of business. You can do all of your banking, payroll, receipts, and communications in an electronic format. Digital is the wave of the future. If your customers want any documentation on paper, they have the option of printing materials on their end. You can make it clear that your company is an eco-friendly business. You encourage others to follow your example as well. Thanks to the cloud, computers, and flash drives, you can have everything you need at your fingertips in an electronic format. One way that Refined Impact supports this approach is through 100% paperless contracts and billing!
If You Must Use Paper, Use Recycled Products
While you may be making every effort you can to reduce the number of paper products you use in your business, you may not be able to escape it entirely. You can still be more environmentally-conscious by choosing paper products that are made from previously recycled paper. You can select this option for your packaging materials and any products you use that are made from paper…even in your restrooms!
Recycle as Much as Possible
As an eco-friendly company that is dedicated to being green, you need to make sure you recycle. Place recycle bins throughout your building for your staff members to recycle any paper or plastic products. Include a bin for beverage containers that can be returned. Take your efforts a step farther by donating any recyclable beverage containers to charity. You should have recycling bins outside of your business as well for any cardboard, paper, and plastics. With a little research, you can find companies that will collect your recyclable materials and pay you for them!
Replace Stand-alone Office Products with Multi-function Systems
You will minimize your negative impact on the environment when you use a multi-function system in your office. For example, you could purchase four systems individually—a copier, printer, fax, and scanner—or have all those services rolled into one machine. If you do the latter, you’ll only need one piece of electronic equipment in the office instead of four. You’ll use less electricity, save time, and make better use of your space. You could save money as well if you have one central system rather than individual printers for your staff.
Pay Attention to Your Cleaning Products
Whether you clean your business or you have a cleaning staff, make sure that only biodegradable products are being used. You want products that are safe for the environment. They will also be safer for your employees and any customers that may enter your place of business. Some individuals are allergic or highly sensitive to industrial-strength cleaning products. Don’t forget to use biodegradable and natural products in your restrooms as well!
Go LED with Your Lighting
When you use LED light bulbs, you are choosing a product that is meant to last. They also save on energy usage. They may cost you more up front, but you’ll find that they save you on energy costs in the long run. Compact-fluorescent lights are a sensible alternative as well.
Check Your Appliances
Take a look at what kind of appliances you have on the premises. If they are Energy Star versions, they will use less energy. Like your light bulbs, they’ll be easier on your wallet over time. They may also be claimed as a tax deduction! Consider saying out with the old and in with the new.
Look into Going Solar
If you have the option of installing solar panels at your place of business, you could get to the point that the power company is paying you for the energy you’re producing! Best of all, you are choosing a natural way to supply electricity to your company. It will require an initial investment, but it will pay for itself over time.
As a business owner, you can do your part to take care of the environment. Enlist the aid of your employees to make it a team effort. You can all work together to leave a positive mark on your surroundings as you lead by example. For more information on how to improve your business practices, check out our blog.
Resources: Forbes.com | 10 Ways to Green Your Business and Save Money Xeretec.co.uk | Top Tips for a Greener Office Business.com | Saving Money While Saving the Environment
