There is no question that becoming an environmentally friendly company is good for business. In today’s green-focused society, being eco-friendly can provide a significant boost to a business’ reputation, and helps create a more attractive bottom line.
With these five simple ideas, you can help your company reap the many benefits of increased environmental awareness in no time at all.
1. Identify Reusable Resources
Evaluate the resources your company requires to meet production and service goals and identify which materials can be procured from recycled materials. Whether it is refurbished office equipment or reclaimed textiles for janitorial cleaning rags, the cost savings is tremendous, along with the decreased impact on the planet.
2. Establish Green Relationships
Though advertising a company as eco-friendly puts the word out to business partners and customers, making them part of the process further expands the business’ mission. By promoting shipping, packaging, and mailing options that utilize fewer resources, you can inspire others to become part of your earth-wise community.
3. Reconsider Dumpster Disposal
These days, few items cannot be recycled or refurbished. Before throwing away old equipment, worn-out desks, and banged up cubicle walls, research the availability of businesses that can take these items off your hands. Instead of heading to the landfill, these donated goods can find a new life and a new purpose.
4. Check the Lights and Faucets
A major source of monetary loss and energy waste is through utilities like electricity and water. For immediate rewards, create a company-wide directive to change out all lightbulbs to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified bulbs, and invest in a plumbing evaluation for water-saving ideas.
5. Reduce Unnecessary Waste
This one concept seems obvious, but it can be easy to overlook the supplies we use every day, like paper. Encourage a company policy of reusing scrap paper for draft-copies or printing tests, and go digital with as many programs as possible to drastically change your paper purchases in the years to come.