If you have just started your own company then you might be very conscious about your footprint on the environment. Having an office or factory can have a huge impact on the CO2 you are producing. If you work to find new ways and existing ways to cut this then your customers will be proud to use you and buy from you. There are many ways you and your business can become eco and green-friendly. Take a look below for some ideas.
Energy Audit
Before you open up your offices or shops to the general public it may be worth conducting an energy audit. This will tell you where most of your energy and electricity are being used. More often than not businesses are using a hell of a lot of energy through lighting. This will show up in an energy audit and it will suggest ways you can cut energy usage as well as costs. The more energy you use, the more it will cost you. The money you save when you cut your energy usage can go towards other stuff within your business.
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
Encourage your employees to recycle everything they can. If they are unsure you could always make a list of things that can go in the recycle bin. If you place recycle bins throughout your offices then there is no excuse not to use them. You could have ones for paper and other miscellaneous pieces of recycling.
Before you pay someone to take away your unused appliances or equipment and put them in the landfill, think about donating them. You can donate these bits and pieces to charity and even get them as a deductible when you file your taxes.
Green Products
Where you can, try and use eco-friendly products throughout your business. It is far better for the environment and the planet to avoid plastic where you can. Take a look around for the best alternatives, there may even be companies that will do you a deal when you buy in bulk.
You can get eco-friendly kitchen sprays so your employees can clean up the kitchen after they use it. This is also great for people who can’t tolerate some of the stronger cleaning sprays. You can also invest in some good quality recycled kitchen paper and toilet tissue. If you are looking for ways to get rid of paper products from your business then you might want to place hand dryers in the bathrooms instead of hand paper towels.
Encourage your staff to bring in their own sports or water bottles from home. This way you are reducing your usage of paper cups that usually come with water fountains.
Work From Home
If there is one way to lower your carbon footprint it is to work from home. This saves energy and fuel on the commute to work, it also saves you from adding CO2 from the office. Home energy usage is generally better for the environment than office blocks. If you are able to manage your workload and employees from home then certainly think about doing this. However, if you need to work in an office or shop then continue to think about ways to lower your energy usage.
Better Equipment
You may not know this but old tech and equipment can mean you are wasting a lot more energy than you need to. Take a computer for example, if it takes a while to boot up and start then it is going to be on for longer during the day. It may also take ages for pages to load and keep your staff and customers waiting. If you invest in new technology then these are made to be far more energy-efficient and better all-round.
If you are working in a store then you should make sure that you are only using the best fridges and freezers. These should not only keep your customers safe but also effectively reduce your emissions and energy. Take a look at the cascade refrigeration system to find out more.
Bike To Work
If you have to go into the office daily then there are ways you can do this without even touching your car. If you live far away then it may benefit you to look into alternative forms of travel, such as public transport. It can be too easy to reach for the car but this increases the likelihood of harmful fumes being let out into the atmosphere.
However, if you are not too far away from your workplace then think about cycling to work. This is not only a great workout but also great for being compassionate about the environment. You could also encourage your staff to cycle to work and even sign up for the bike-to-work scheme that is currently on in certain places.
Renewable Energy
If you are wanting to take your green-friendly business one step further then you may decide to run off renewable energy. This is great as your customers will be able to see and know that you are sustainable. This will encourage more people to buy from you, knowing you care about the environment.
There are a few different types of renewable energy and it is about finding the one that not only works for your company but is a viable option. For example, if you are located in the heart of the city center then you won’t be able to use wind power but could use solar power. Check out local companies to see who can offer your business the best rate for switching to renewable energy.
Say No To Paper Bills
Finally, if you want to reduce your paper usage then you can make sure you tick the little box online that says switch to paperless bills. A lot of companies now are switching automatically to paperless, everything is done online. So if you notice that one day your bill hasn’t arrived, then you now know why. Check your online account and everything you need to know will be on there.
You too can choose to go paperless. When it comes to sending packages out to your customers you could give them an email receipt rather than a paper one. You can also send out paperless invoices using online features.
