The environment is dominating the headlines, and more and more business owners are trying to make a concerted effort to do more to protect the planet. If you run a business and you are starting the year with ambitions to embrace more eco-friendly ways of working, here are some simple ways to go green.
Reduce energy consumption
Reducing energy consumption is one of the most significant and influential ways to protect the environment, but it can also save a huge amount of money. From small offices to large-scale industrial facilities, every business can reduce energy consumption by monitoring use across premises and operations and encouraging employees and customers to be more conscious of how much energy they use. Invest in smart technology, monitor consumption using smart meters and use sensors to save energy when premises or spaces are not in use. Swap traditional bulbs for energy-efficient lightbulbs and improve insulation to save on heating costs.
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Recycle and reuse
Recycling and reusing are effective ways to reduce waste and ensure we make the most of the materials or natural resources we have. You can recycle, repurpose or reuse everything from office furniture and everyday waste to rainwater and leftover food. Install recycling bins for staff and customers to use, look for companies to work with if you utilize or sell products that are difficult to recycle via municipal facilities and use rainwater tanks to collect water. Hang posters to provide information about how recycling works at your business, encourage people to get involved and make sure your employees know how they can recycle or reuse products.
Adopt greener commuting initiatives
Many people produce emissions as a result of commuting to work. While flexible working has become more common and working from home is more popular than ever, this is not a practical solution for every organization. If you can’t switch to remote working full-time, consider hybrid solutions or investigate ways to make your employee’s commute greener. You could incentivize cycling or walking, set up car share schemes or offer to contribute to monthly or annual bus or train passes to discourage individuals from driving, for example.
Go digital
Digital technology has revolutionized the way we work, but not every business is taking advantage of the environmental benefits yet. If you’re still printing documents or filing paper records, now is the time to cut down your paper usage by switching to digital records, forms and communications. If you go digital, you can provide a better service for customers and clients, reduce expenses and make a positive contribution to the planet.
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Every day, it seems as though there are alarming headlines relating to the future of the environment and stories about extreme weather and species facing extinction. Businesses have an integral role to play in protecting the planet and reducing carbon emissions. If you are looking to build a more eco-friendly business in 2022, there are several ways you can make a positive difference. Aim to reduce energy consumption, recycle and reuse, reduce waste, look into greener commuting options and flexible working solutions and go digital.
