Getting on board with the green movement isn't a new craze in business. Since firms are often a large producer of pollution, paper usage, and other disposable goods, there is an increasing demand to become more environmentally conscious. Among the many wonderful reasons for going green, is the reality that it is often linked with reducing waste and improving the performance of certain functions around the office. Reducing the amount of waste that takes place in your company creates the byproduct of saving your business resources (AKA, money). It is to your advantage as an entrepreneur to become as eco-friendly as possible. Committing to energy efficient products now can help you save money in the future. Conserving paper when possible and turning off the lights when they aren't needed will save you more cash than you may realize. Below is a list of tips/goals that will help your company increase efficiency, while reducing its carbon footprint - and what customer doesn't like to hear that:
- Printing Only When Necessary- This is among the first steps toward becoming more environmentally-friendly at the office. Printing only important documents minimizes the volume of paper used. Challenge co-workers and yourself to take a moment to reconsider before hitting the print button. I once had a co-worker who placed the phrase, "Consider the environment before printing this email," in her signature line. I thought it was brilliant and proved to be a great reminder to her co-workers (it stuck with me!). A signature line like that signals to customers that your company is environmentally conscious, as well.
READ: Green Printing Practices
- Transitioning to Energy-efficient Products- If you are looking to save money and be more eco-friendly, then committing to energy-efficient products is a great idea. Light bulbs which use less electricity are a great start, and printers designed with energy saving features are a fantastic investment for the future.
- Employing a Recycling Program- There have been many developments in the world of recycling. This means we now have the opportunity to recycle a growing number of supplies, making it simpler to recycle every month. Set up a recycle container for waste that can be used over and over.
- Turning off the Lights- Turning off the lighting when you leave a room or investing in lights with motion sensors will guarantee that you're not burning needless electricity. A motion sensor switch will run you around $15-$50, per switch, depending on the quality or brand you are searching. Install your switches in medium to low-traffic rooms, as the switch itself does consume a small amount of electricity in standby mode. This assists with saving money, which translates to making money!
There is often a great deal of pressure from environmental groups and the media to go green. The result can be off-putting. When you realize the cost benefits of applying eco-friendly strategies, however, you will wonder what took you so long! Learn what our company is doing to reduce waste: SOS Green
