Saving the planet is top of the agenda when it comes to media bulletins these days, but despite warnings, there’s a still a long way to go in terms of persuading people to take notice of the facts. At a time when climate change is a continual source of debate, it’s worth looking at ways you could make a positive contribution. If you run a business, no matter how small or large it is, there are benefits of going green. Here are just some of the ways you can do your bit for the future of the planet.
Saving paper
There are countless ways modern businesses can save paper, from embracing recycling initiatives and utilising products made from recycled materials to switching to digital programs. If you’re still processing paper invoices or using reams of paper to note down the details of client meetings or record appointments, it’s time to investigate more efficient and environmentally-friendly ways of working.
Reducing energy usage
Most businesses use a lot of energy. Offices don’t light themselves, and computers can’t run on dust. That said, there will almost always be ways you can reduce energy usage. Swap traditional bulbs for energy-efficient light bulbs, update appliances to smart versions and make use of features like sensors and sleep mode to avoid wasting energy. Get your staff on board by running schemes and offering incentives.
Swapping to renewables
Do you spend a fortune on powering your office, warehouse, studio or factory? In some cases, switching to renewable sources of energy can save you a huge amount of money, as well as making an incredibly positive difference to the environment. Look for experienced commercial solar installers in your local area and ask them to visit the site. You can find out more about your options, get an idea of installation costs and look at figures related to savings in the future. In some cases, solar power may not be suitable, for example, if your business is based in an area where hours of sunlight are limited, but it’s worth finding out more so that you can weigh up your options.
Clean commuting
How many of your employees drive to work? If there’s a large number of cars parked in the lot on a daily basis, why not think about bringing in schemes that would encourage cleaner commuting? You could run incentives to those who carpool or cycle to work or offer more flexible working arrangements, which enable people to work from home a couple of days per week. If you have a fleet of vehicles that are used for work purposes, for example, you run a sales team, you could look into investing in electric cars or hybrids.
Climate change is a topic we come across on a daily basis when we’re watching TV or reading the news, but have you ever actually stopped to think about how your business impacts the planet? If you haven’t given much thought to green living, there’s a good chance that you could make major improvements and ensure that your business is doing its bit to save planet Earth.
