Regardless of the industry you’re in, green is one of the most important colors your business can have.
Now, we’re not talking about green as in jealousy — we’re talking about green as in the environment! Being eco-friendly is the perfect way to give back to the community that makes your business possible.
It can be hard to measure how green your business is, as coming up with an exact calculation is impossible. Plus, focusing on the numbers can force you into an unnecessary competition.
The goal isn’t necessarily to be more environmentally friendly than your competitors. Rather, you should strive to do your part in creating a greener world.
Below, we go over some of the most practical ways businesses can make a difference. Read on to discover the best tips!
1. Conduct an Environmental Audit
The tips we discuss below apply to most businesses. However, it can be helpful to get advice specific to your company.
That’s why we recommend starting with an environmental audit. A third-party firm can analyze your current practices and recommend a complete overhaul. They will make custom recommendations so that you know exactly where you can improve.
Additionally, the firm can educate you and your employees on topics such as the importance of e-waste recycling. A more informed business is almost always a more eco-friendly one.
2. Add Recycling Bins Throughout the Office
When you get an audit, we can almost guarantee that the firm will recommend recycling bins throughout your office. And why wouldn’t they?
It’s not that customers and employees don’t want to recycle — they might just not have the opportunity to. Make it easy for them by adding lots of accessible, clearly marked bins.
With these bins, people can easily recycle cups, bottles, papers, and everything in between. By taking these bins to proper collection centers, you’ll be reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Reduce Plastic Bag Usage
Another simple yet effective way to be a more eco-friendly business? Reduce your plastic bag usage.
Businesses like retail stores and grocery stores use plastic bags every day. While plastic bags offer lots of conveniences, they aren’t very environmentally friendly.
The good news is that you can limit how many plastic bags you use without sacrificing customer satisfaction. For instance, you can offer alternatives like cardboard boxes that would otherwise get recycled.
Other ways you can cut down on plastic bags include:
- Encourage employees to make the most out of each plastic bag.
- Provide customers with reusable bags if they make a certain purchase.
- Incentivize customers who bring their own reusable bags.
4. Use Natural Lighting
This next tip is perhaps even easier to implement than limiting your use of plastic bags. It involves using what your office should already have — natural lighting!
Open up the blinds and let the rays in. You’ll light up your office so that you can cut down on your electricity and heating bills. Plus, your employees are sure to appreciate the view.
5. Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products
When you open up those blinds, a cloud of dust may appear. No judgment from us — with everything you’ve got going on, it can be hard to stay on top of office cleaning.
But before you reach for your cleaning products, you should ensure they are environmentally friendly. Traditional products consist of tons of toxins, non-biodegradable materials, and other ingredients that can cause pollution and even harm your health.
6. Recycle Electronics
As you go on your cleaning spree, you might encounter electronics that your company doesn’t use anymore. If you want to get rid of this clutter, use an e-waste recycler.
A provider can tell you where to recycle old tablets, recommend the best cable recycling practices, and everything in between. By tossing your devices in a responsible, eco-friendly manner, you won’t just protect the environment — you’ll also save sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.
7. Reduce Water Usage
Reducing water usage is yet another way you can become a more eco-friendly business.
Start small by analyzing your sinks and pipes for leaks. By making these easy fixes, you’ll save on your water bill and conserve valuable resources. As a bonus, you’ll also prevent mold growth that can ruin your indoor air quality.
If you want to make even bigger environmentally friendly strides, invest in appliances like low-flow toilets and faucet aerators.
8. Encourage Eco-Friendly Transportation
In the U.S., personal vehicles are responsible for about 20% of the country’s total emissions.
You can’t stop employees from taking their cars to your offices. But, you can make it easy for them to opt for eco-friendly opportunities. Consider taking steps such as the following:
- Start carpooling groups.
- Install bike racks.
- Use an employee shuttle service.
9. Invest in Cloud Computing
There’s a good chance that your office already uses cloud computing. Platforms like Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365, and Apple iCloud are popular in workplaces everywhere.
But if you are serious about being environmentally friendly, you should go all in. Put all of your data into cloud computing platforms so that you no longer have to rely on power-hungry servers. You and your employees will save the world and get to enjoy all the benefits that come with cloud computing (paperless offices, remote access to data, etc.).
10. Review Your Procurement Practices
Implementing all of these tips will help your internal team become more eco-friendly. But if you want to be a truly green business, you have to think about who you work with.
Review your procurement practices to see where your products, supplies, and services come from. If your suppliers aren’t eco-friendly, you might need to switch providers.
Work With Newtech Recycling Today
With these ten eco-friendly tips, your business will be on its way to green status in no time.
Need a little help getting there? Contact Newtech Recycling today! Our team has years of experience with proper e-waste recycling. We take your old electronics and retire them in an efficient, environmentally friendly way.