Business is a significant source of pollution. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to consider your business’s green energy consumption and become a green powerhouse (green business).
Have you ever considered how a business’s environmental footprint could affect its bottom line? If you are thinking of switching to green energy, there is help you can check online, like asking a Utility Bidder.
Unfortunately, not many do, but now’s the time to consider it.
You may have heard about all the benefits of green businesses. But there’s a lot of confusion around how to build a green company.
Of course, there are tons of books and systems on starting a green business, but they will cost you thousands and take months or years to finish.
If your business wants to go green, it might be more accessible.
Some will feel that because their business is large or small, a player to make much of an impact.
But in reality, going green can be accessible, affordable, and profitable.
Read below for more information on turning your business into a green powerhouse, or you can check Utility Bidder for more details.
Assess your business and where you can go green.
Before going green, assess your business and where you can go green.
So before you begin making changes, take an honest look at your current energy use and where it comes from.
Start by identifying all the areas of your business you can improve regarding environmental sustainability.
What kind of equipment do you have? How much natural gas or electricity do you use? Do you have any old equipment that you can replace with newer technology?
Consider energy use and water consumption, as you often overlook or ignore these factors.
You might also want to look at how much waste your company produces. In addition, how much of it is recycled?
This first step will help determine what changes are necessary and how significant those changes will be.
Advocate for sustainable practices to employees, customers, vendors, and the local community.
To be green, you don’t have to become an environmentalist or start a non-profit organization.
You can just as easily make changes to your business practices that will go a long way toward helping the environment.
The best way to start going green at work is by making small changes that don’t cost much money or effort.
But first, your employees should be aware of your company’s efforts towards sustainability and understand why it’s crucial for everyone involved.
They should know what they can do to help contribute towards this goal within their daily jobs.
Here are some examples:
- Use reusable coffee mugs instead of disposable cups at meetings and events.
- Encourage employees to use public transportation or carpooling when possible instead of driving their cars on company business trips or errands during lunch breaks.
- Recycle electronics like computers and monitors instead of tossing them into landfills when they get broken or obsolete.
- Use recycled paper products such as paper towels in bathrooms instead of disposable paper towels that end up in landfills after use (and often end up blowing away into nearby trees and bushes).
- You could also encourage employees not to leave lights on when they are not working in a room and turn off computers at night instead of leaving them in sleeping mode overnight (even if there’s no one else here).
Spreading the word about sustainability efforts within your company is a great way to get everyone involved. These small changes add up over time and significantly impact the environment.
Employ a water management strategy.
Start with an assessment of your facility’s current water usage, and then set goals for reducing consumption in the future. You may be surprised by how much water you waste through leaks or inefficient equipment use.
Install new plumbing fixtures and fittings designed to reduce flow rates by 30 per cent.
Consider replacing older toilets and faucets with more recent models with dual-flush features or water-efficient aerators.
Install low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and other fixtures throughout the building in restrooms, kitchens, and elsewhere.
Some states require these types of improvements when new buildings are constructed. Still, they aren’t always necessary during renovations or repairs — so check local laws before making changes on your initiative.
Use rainwater harvesting systems to capture roof runoff from gutters, downspouts, and other areas where rainfall accumulates naturally (or artificially).
This can be used for landscaping, irrigation, or even drinking if appropriately treated.
Reduce, reuse and recycle.
As a business, you can reduce the amount of waste you produce. For example, you can purchase less-packaged products or bulk to reduce packaging.
It can also mean eliminating unnecessary throwaways at meetings or events, such as plastic cups and utensils.
Reuse allows you to save money in the long run and helps the environment.
Some examples of reusing materials include using coffee grounds as compost or fertilizer for your garden and recycling paper into other types of functional items.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to go green in your business, as it does not require much time.
You can recycle almost any material you have lying around in your office, including old computers and electronics.
Consider your power options.
It may be time to reevaluate your current energy sources if you have an existing building or office space. Consider using renewable energy or green power.
An excellent place to start looking for green options is with your current utility company. They may have information about any programs they offer or be able to point you in the right direction for finding alternative energy sources for your business.
You can also do an ocular, so if you are near a wind farm or solar panels, consider buying into the project and taking advantage of the benefits.
If you don’t have access to renewable energy sources, look for opportunities that make sense for your business.
For example, if you have a large warehouse or manufacturing facility with high energy needs, look into buying solar panels or wind turbines that can help lower costs on your monthly utility bills while also helping the planet at the same time.
You can also get involved in local initiatives. For example, many communities are working hard to become more environmentally friendly.
Find out what’s available in your area and see how your business can help promote these initiatives in any way possible — donating money or volunteering time.
Final Thoughts
More and more businesses are looking at their practices and making decisions to help the environment.
This can be as simple as switching to refillable water bottles or as extensive as converting your entire fleet over to electric vehicles.
Whatever your company does to help the environment, you can do it with a smile, knowing that you’re doing something good for the planet.
It’s also good for your bottom line — studies show that companies with eco-friendly policies tend to make more money than those that don’t.