Do you run a business? Are you interested in being greener and doing more to save the planet? It’s impossible to get through a day without coming across some kind of nugget of information about the environmental impact of our modern lifestyles. If you already take the time to recycle at home and you drive a hybrid, it’s time to consider how you can adopt good habits at work and become a more eco-friendly boss.
Set a good example
There’s no point in telling your team that they should consider getting the bus or walking to work if you’re arriving in a gas-guzzling motor every day or jetting off to meetings in exotic destinations. If you expect the people you employ to make an effort to go green, you must do the same. If you set an example, your team is likely to follow suit.
Make it easy to recycle
Some people recycle at home, but for some reason, the trend doesn’t seem to have caught on at work. Did you know that the average American chucks 4.5 lbs of waste into the trash per day? Sometimes, it’s impossible to recycle products made from certain materials, but often, it is a viable option. If you use a lot of paper or staff use plastic cups, for example, look for firms that offer commercial recycling services. You could save yourself a lot of money, and you can make sure that your business is more environmentally-friendly. It’s also beneficial to look into what you’re buying. Often, it’s possible to buy recycled materials, especially if you’re still heavily reliant on paper rather than digital systems.
Discourage driving
At the moment, more than 90 percent of US workers drive to work. This is one of the most significant contributors to global warming, and if you want to make a difference, discouraging driving is an excellent place to start. Make it easier for staff to choose more environmentally-friendly ways of getting around. Get people together to arrange lifts or consider offering workers the chance to work from home 1 or 2 days a week. Provide secure shelters for bikes or think about making working hours more flexible, so people have time to walk to work instead of driving. If your business is dependent on driving, for example, you run a team of field sales executives, or you work in logistics, look into switching to hybrid or electric vehicles.
Get everyone involved
You’re going to struggle to make a significant difference if you’re marching to the beat of your own drum and nobody is following. To make new initiatives a success, you need to have everyone on board. Arrange some meetings, discuss some new schemes, and get people to share their opinions and ideas. Have a look at what other firms have done, and see how these measures could work for you.
If you’re keen to set a good example and be an eco-friendly boss, take these tips on board and hopefully, your business will be cleaner and greener in no time.
