Going green doesn’t just benefit the planet. It can also do wonders for your business, particularly in improving your brand image and increasing competitive advantage. There is the benefit of attracting customers who care about the environment and getting more clients in general. Studies suggest that many consumers are willing to spend 20% more on businesses that have sustainable practices.
Here’s how to make your business more eco-friendly:
1. Embrace remote working
You might not realize it, but employees driving/commuting to and from work daily can waste time and money in traffic. Embracing a remote work environment can help you save money. It can also reduce your business’s carbon footprint. Do take note, however, that you don’t need to go fully or entirely remote. A good arrangement could be one day per week.
You should also know that many job seekers today are attracted to remote work or jobs that provide a work-from-home option on certain days of the week. This is because it offers flexibility and greater control over their personal and professional lives. Other benefits of remote work include:
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- Reduced business expenses
- Improved employee satisfaction (and retention)
- Better disaster preparedness
- Better access to applicants (can result in a more diverse workplace)
2. Make your office (supplies) environmentally friendly. ;
You don’t necessarily have to buy sustainable products to make your business environmentally friendly. If your business doesn’t have the extra budget, you can focus your expenses on business areas that have the most impact. You can, for instance, invest in business software or efficient technology if that’s what your company needs.
You can also improve your efforts by making some of your office supplies more sustainable. When sealing packages or boxes, for instance, you can go with Kraft paper sealing tape instead of ordinary plastic tapes. The former is more eco-friendly and stronger than the latter. Going digital is also a good idea, as it can eliminate waste in printing.
3. Consider alternative energy sources
Depending on your business setup and office’s location, you can make use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or geothermal. If possible, you can consider installing solar panels on your roof or getting your energy from a nearby wind turbine. If these options are appropriate for your business, making the switch can help you reap long-term savings. ;
If you need help with financing, it is good to know that there are local and regional energy-efficiency programs that provide loans for businesses wanting to do an eco-friendly update. Some states also offer incentives like rebates for companies that use solar energy.
4. Reduce water usage
Reducing your office’s water consumption is an easy way to save money and conserve an essential environmental resource. There are several ways to lower water usage in your business. These include:
- Installing low-flow toilets
- Installing low-flow aerators
- Fixing leaks and dripping taps
- Putting up signage (to remind employees to turn off the water when scrubbing hands)
- Making employees aware that your business is focused on water conservation
5. Recycle electronics
If you’re thinking of replacing electronic equipment like monitors, computers, printers, and tablets, you can consider donating them to charities or schools that need them. You might also be glad to know that some electronic manufacturers have recycling programs that offer credit for trade-ins and donation programs for charities.
When donating, selling, or safely disposing of old devices, be sure to retrieve passwords, photos, contacts, and other sensitive information. After backing up your data and transferring them to your new appliances, be sure to delete everything on your old devices.
These are just a few of the things you can adopt to make your business more eco-friendly. Be sure to explore other opportunities where you can save resources and help the environment in carrying out most of your business practices.
