By Jerry Mooney
Being environmentally friendly is now one of the most important concerns for any modern business. This is thanks to a number of reasons. Most vitally is the obvious fact that these initiatives are exactly what the world needs at the moment. But there are countless benefits for the business itself as well. A business which is forward-thinking in this area is likely to be well received by the general public. This alone is a huge advantage, but that’s not all. Being environmentally friendly is also likely to help cut costs in any business. It is clear that any business can benefit from going green as soon as possible. But it can be hard to know where to begin, and what first steps to take. Let’s have a look at some of the strongest initiatives for a business wanting to be greener.
Eliminate Printing Waste
One of the biggest wasteful areas in most businesses is the overuse of paper. This is all too easily done, and most offices suffer from this problem. But the good news is that it is also fairly straightforward to reduce the amount of paper a business is using. To eliminate printing waste in your business, the simplest change to make is to ensure that your employees are aware of the effects. Keep your employees clued up as to the effect they are having, and they are more likely to choose the right course of action.
Keep Energy Use Down
Hopefully one day soon, the majority of businesses will operate solely from renewable energies. Those solutions discussed at the International Renewable Energy Congress might make a huge difference. In the meantime, it is down to individuals and businesses alike to do everything in their power to reduce energy usage. One of the simplest ways to do this is to ensure your business has a switch off policy. You want to encourage a culture whereby people automatically turn off anything they are not using. Also, ensure that all electronics are turned off when the office is vacant.
Encourage A Greener Commute
It is just as imperative to think about the less immediate effects that your business has on the environment. A powerful example of this is your employees’ commute to work. As an employer, you should try to encourage your staff to get to work by greener means. Everyone taking separate cars is just about the worst situation, yet it is probably the most common. Set up an initiative which rewards those who travel to work in greener ways. These initiatives tend to work pretty effectively. It will also help to boost morale, something which is always worthwhile.
Display Your Carbon Footprint
There are countless tools online which can help you to calculate your business’ carbon footprint. Something which is likely to make a big difference is figuring this out and sharing it with your colleagues. Consider making a display in the office and showing it for all to see. You might be surprised at how quickly this makes a difference.
