by Sharon Jones
Running a small business is a mammoth task for any entrepreneur. Being the type of company that appeals to a wide range of people takes time, and one of the best ways for an entrepreneur to do that is to go green. Cultivating an eco-friendly environment isn’t a quick job, nor is it easy, but it’s one that can save you money while increasing the productivity of your staff. Earth Day comes around once a year, but once you get into the mindset that every day is Earth Day, you will be unstoppable.
The most important thing to think about in your company is your bottom line – everyone knows that. How you ensure your people and suppliers are paid while keeping your capital in the green is up to you, but if you choose to be greener in your business, you can save a lot of money from everywhere. This not only cares for your profits, it cares for your people and the environment all at once. So, how can you go greener in your business?
Packaging. Creating a product, branding it and getting it out to your customers is a big process, and one of the biggest aspects of that process is packaging. Looking at reinforced boxes is one thing but looking at glass bottle pricing can help you to understand how you can be environmentally-friendly as well as profitable. Once you know the costs of the packaging that you choose, you can look into recyclable packing and save the planet as you go. You will be able to brand yourself as an ethical company that encourages others to recycle; it’s a good bit of PR!
Alternative Energy. If you want to go the whole hog with being green in the office, look at alternative ways to power your offices. Hydropower, solar energy and plant matter are all used to generate more ‘green power’ and these sources are those that are the friendliest to the environment. Assess your business needs and look at the costs of alternative energy; costly up front is always a good thing if you are saving more in the long term.
Unplug. Every business is powered by technology these days, but the use of tech isn’t always friendly to the world around you. If you ensure that things in the office are turned off at the end of each day, you are going to save yourself a high energy bill while making sure that you are protecting your company from power surges that could lead to fires. Have a little common sense and save the world at the same time.
Starting small with your eco-friendliness often grows to bigger things. You can implement the changes gradually, and then later on make the big changes that will save your company money. It’s in the best interests of your business to be ethical, as more people want to buy from a company that they know uses products friendly to the environment. Think about how you attract people and go from there.