It’s pretty much impossible to ignore the current state of the environment and as a business, you should be taking preventative measures to ensure that you’re doing your bit for the planet. However, the idea that global warming is only the problem of large corporations is misinterpreted, because the responsibility of our planet is down to each and every one of us. Small businesses may be worried that their efforts won’t make a difference when in fact, every small change can help a lot more than you may think. So, even if you’re running a corner store in a small town, it’s your responsibility to put measures into place. Not sure where to start? Check out these environmentally friendly ways to run your business so that your business can go from zero to hero.
Start a carpool
We all hate the commute to work, especially if you’ve got to travel a fair distance and normally hit the rush hour traffic. Now think about how many of your employees are travelling to work and how much fuel they’re consuming. Start a carpool and figure out who is able to travel to work together so that as a company, you can cut down the amount of fuel you’re wasting each week. Not only will you be helping save the planet, but your employees will also save on their own fuel consumption too. Just remember to make sure that the people who are driving are receiving contributions towards their fuel costs. More often than not, a carpool can help build relationships within the workplace too, meaning that your staff will communicate better.
Go paperless
The whole world is digitised these days and it does beg the question as to why many of us are still using paper within our business. Here are some easy ways to make that transition:
- Use electronic signatures on documents
- Implement digital receipts for your customers
- Communicate online rather than via letter
- Switch any business accounts to paperless mail
- Look into making tax digital to save on large amounts of paper documents each year
- Invest in energy efficient equipment
- Scan documents rather than filing them
Going paperless isn’t as difficult as you may think and as soon as you’ve made the transition, you’ll notice that you’re saving a tonne of money on paper bills too!
Reduce waste
One of the biggest challenges businesses face when trying to be more environmentally friendly is dealing with waste. Improper waste disposal not only harms the environment but also reflects poorly on your company’s sustainability efforts. By adopting more efficient waste management practices, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Start by auditing your current waste output to identify where you can cut down. This might involve switching to reusable or biodegradable materials, reducing packaging, or finding new ways to repurpose by-products. Another effective approach is to partner with local recycling centers to ensure that your waste is properly sorted and processed.
If your business regularly produces a significant amount of waste, consider exploring options for larger-scale disposal solutions. This is where a dumpster rental companies directory can be incredibly useful. It allows you to find reliable, eco-friendly dumpster rental services that can help you manage waste responsibly. Many of these companies offer recycling options, ensuring that as little as possible ends up in a landfill.
By taking proactive steps to manage waste, your business not only helps the planet but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that resonates with environmentally conscious consumers.
Use green cleaning products
Did you know that cleaning products are actually harmful to the environment? The fumes that are released when most cleaning products are used damages the ozone layer (what’s left of it) and greatly contributes to global warming. Not only that, but they can be harmful to yours or your employee’s health.
Luckily, there are plenty of green cleaning products that you could use instead that will do the job exactly the same, and not pose a threat to your health or the environment.
Only source organic ingredients
If part of your business requires you to buy in produce, then you should be considering switching to organic-only ingredients. This is because many large farms use insecticides and pesticides on their produce which, in turn, harms the environment.
Did you know that organic produce is usually larger, more attractive, and tastes distinctively better than foods that are sprayed? Why not help out a local business and source organic ingredients from them? Not only will you be helping the environment and supporting a local business, but you’ll be able to tell your customers that your food is locally sourced, giving you an edge over your competitors.
Sponsor a charity
There are a plethora of charities that are working around the clock to help save our planet, and if you’re unable to actively get out there to begin clearing the oceans and streets, then sponsor a charity instead. You could host fundraisers and donate percentages of your sales to charities that are dedicated to helping save our planet. Again, not only will you be supporting an amazing cause, but sponsoring a charity can be great for the business turnover.
Invest in other forms of power consumption
Most of the time, the most harmful thing we do to the planet, is using its natural resources to power our business. There are other ways of generating energy that won’t cost the planet its precious oils. Consider investing in these forms of power consumption?
Solar panels are an incredible way of reusing the energy from the sun. While they might be a large investment, to begin with, solar panels pay for themselves within a year of purchasing them. Not only that, but consumers comment that during the summertime especially, they notice a dramatic drop in energy costs.
If possible use wind turbines to generate your electricity. This might not be possible depending on your location, but it’s definitely worth looking into.
Water power is another form of generating power to consider. Again, depending on your location and space, this is another wonderful way of generating power without damaging the environment.
Use employee incentives to encourage them to do their bit too
You should be proud as a business to be environmentally friendly, but if your staff members aren’t doing their bit at home, then it can make your hard work look redundant. Use employee incentives like an extra paid day of holiday each year for recycling at home, taking part in your carpool system, and actively being more conscious of the environment.
Another great way of rewarding your staff would be signing up to Perkbox, which is a specially created employee reward scheme. It can give you free coffee, money off travel, cinema tickets and much more. Definitely worth considering to encourage your employees to be more conscious of the planet.
Conserve water
Finally, conserving water as a business is another fantastic way of becoming environmentally friendly. Even if your business doesn’t use much water, conserving it to water shrubs and plants on your business premises will help save the environment. If your business uses large amounts of water, you should consider investing in industrial water tanks to collect rainwater in the safest and most environmentally friendly way possible.
As you can see, there are many ways in which you can turn your business into an environmentally friendly one! Most of which will save you money and help your business in the long run too! Which one will you do first?