5 Easy Steps to Green Your Business
The principal of “going green” has been popular for the last decade. Indeed, it’s become so mainstream that businesses without at least some green practices in place are seen as outdated. Being a green business has economic benefits that extend beyond the image of your business—it can also save money and help you meet increasing regulatory compliance requirements put in place by local, state, and Federal government.
If you’re looking for ways to go green, if you haven’t already, or would like tips on furthering your green efforts, follow these 5 basic steps.
Step 1: Conduct a Waste Audit. Before you implement a new or expanded green program for your business, first assess where you’re at. Namely, what are you already doing that follows green practices? What do you need to improve upon? How much waste are you currently generating? Take a thorough audit, or hire a waste management consultant, to measure how much waste your company produces; determine how much is recycled; examine your company’s total economic spend on handling waste; create an environmental profile; and examine your current infrastructure. Once you’ve gone through the audit steps, you’ll have a better understanding of how to implement a cost-effective waste reduction program that fits in your company’s infrastructure.
Step 2: Reduce your current waste output. You’ve probably heard about the three “Rs” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, right? Of these three steps, the most impactful one is reducing your company’s waste stream. Taking small steps can have a big impact, and it will get your company on the way to being a green business.
Through the audit, you’ll be able to determine approximately how much waste your company generates. Once you understand your output, you can identify how to reduce your waste stream. For example, instead of printing out emails, invoices, or documents, switch to a digital document policy. By transitioning the majority of your written communications to digital formats, you’ll greatly reduce the amount of ink and paper your company consumes.
If your business uses chemicals or materials, evaluate how you can reuse or streamline your processes so that you use less chemicals and materials. Seek alternative technology and if that is not practical then evaluation of purchasing practices often identifies significant waste reduction opportunities. Each business is unique, and each company can reduce its output of materials and waste. Determine how you can cut down on unnecessary waste, and implement a strict company policy to carry it out.
Step 3: Reuse what you can. We know that your business will still need to use paper, ink, chemicals, or materials to carry out day-to-day functions. The third step, therefore, for going green, is to look at what you have to use and figure out what can be reused. For example, print on the back side of paper; purchase bulk supplies; and find additional ways your company can replace disposable items with solid, reusable equipment.
If you are a construction related business having a waste management plan developed for each new project will ensure that you have a way to capture and re-inventory surplus materials.
Step 4: Recycle as much as possible. Help your company do its part of keeping waste out of landfills by expanding and increasing your recycling efforts. Make sure you have recycle receptacles, sorted by type, next to every waste bin on your business’s premises. Recycle old electronics by donating them to charities (if they’re still functional). Keep ink cartridges out of the trash and drop them off at ink cartridge collection services (most large office supply stores have cartridge recycling programs), or keep your own collection bins around the office. Additionally, encourage recycling by buying products made from recycled materials.
Step 5: Promote your efforts. A recent poll from Reuters found that a company’s green efforts matter to the general public. In fact, 4 out of 5 people are still buying “green” products in the recession, even though it may cost more.
You can promote your green efforts to your customer—and encourage them to take green steps—through a variety of platforms, including:
- Your company’s website
- Social media
- Press releases
- Your branding materials
And, of course, on your business premises make sure your recycling containers are consistent, prominent and well- marked.
Your customers will appreciate your expanded green efforts, so make sure you take every opportunity to promote your efforts.
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