Quick guide to making your business greener

Helping the environment with your business is easier than you think. You will not only reduce your impact on resources but also save money. Even small steps can go a long way toward greening your company. These easy tips can make it simple to make your business more environmentally friendly.

1. Reduce paper use

Cloud storage makes it easier and safer than ever to store backup copies of emails and other forms. Though it was once required to have rooms filled with printed paper documents, it is now more efficient and widely accepted to store these items on an offsite server without using paper or ink.

2. Cut back on disposable office supplies

Each weekday, Americans throw away 4 million pens according to the Huffington Post. This constant disposal contributes to endless and unnecessary landfill waste. Switch to refillable, reusable pens to cut back on plastic in the environment. Additionally, instead of Post-It notes, encourage employees to put reminders on dry-erase boards, a reusable form of communication that does not end up in the trash after reading messages.

3. Rid your office of water bottles

Both individual bottles and those for water coolers cost money each month to keep in supply. Additionally, your office generates waste from these bottles. Instead of water delivery, install water filters on the faucet in the breakroom. Encourage employees to bring their own reusable water bottles. These steps will prompt your company to help in reducing the large volumes of waste Americans create each year.

Using reusable water bottles reduces massive waste in terms of plastic bottle disposal. (Source)

4. Choose greener remodeling options

If you have to redo your office décor, consider adding environmentally friendly products. Choose a flooring made from recycled materials. When repainting, select paints that do not have VOCs. Electrostatic painting covers your filing cabinets and other metal parts with an even coat that is free of both VOCs and hazardous pollutants. By choosing pollutant-free furnishings and paints for your office, your employees will be healthier and so will the planet.

5. Reduce energy use

Consider switching to an energy provider that uses renewable resources if you cannot install solar panels on your office building. While renewable energy can help the planet, cutting down on your energy bills around the office will help your business save money. Switch to LED lights if possible and consider installing motion-activated lights that automatically shut off when a room is unoccupied. These little changes can lower your light bills while helping to green your business.

Raising the thermostat in the summer and lowering it in the winter will also cut back on energy use. Encourage employees to be aware of the temperatures and adapt their workstations accordingly. In the summer, fans at desks can help individual employees keep cool without the costs of air conditioning throughout the entire office. Small space heaters under desks in the winter can provide personal comfort while minimizing the overall heating bill.

6. Recycle more

Recycling reduces your waste—but it can also lower your spending. Put recycling bins in your office and label them clearly. The less waste a trash company has to haul away, the lower your waste disposal bill will be. A corporate company cut their waste spending up to 70 percent by implementing a recycling program in the office.

7. Dispose of old electronics properly

Electronics can add toxic elements to landfills. Properly recycling e-waste is good for your business and the environment. Many office supplies and computer stores offer to recycle old computers and other electronics. Some computer sellers may buy back old computers to reuse the components or recycle them. Properly disposing of your old electronics frees up landfill space and can add more cash into your pocket.

Going green in your business

Going green should not be a chore or something that cuts into your bottom line. It can help increase profits from environmentally conscious customers while saving you money on operating costs. Cutting costs and boosting profits will enhance your decision to embrace the environment, for the planet and your earnings.

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DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.