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From cars and transport to homes and furniture, there seems to be a green alternative to just about everything these days - shouldn’t your business be one of those options? Many companies are taking steps to make their products and operations more eco friendly. Green businesses play a major role in the future of sustainability and also share a huge profit potential as more people adopt environmentally-friendlier lifestyles.
Why Go Green with Your Business?
Scientists have finally agreed that global warming is primarily caused by human activities and that the future doesn’t look too bright - especially if we continue to live with our present habits. Reducing carbon emissions and finding more sustainable solutions for living are a priority if we want to continue existing on our planet.
The most important reason to green your business - as well as your personal lifestyle - is to protect our planet, our population, our animals, and our future.
Your clients and consumers will also benefit. Companies that contribute to pollution and do nothing to curb emissions will eventually be forced to change their habits, either due to environmental protection laws or because the planet simply won’t support their harmful behavior any longer. Whatever the reason, these businesses will invest a great deal of money into financing the necessary changes and will then pass those costs to the consumer. Adopting greener business policies now can save you and your clients money in the future.
Finally, greener practices can increase your bottom line. While going green may seem costly at first, most environmentally friendly choices will save your business money in the long run. This could come in the form of lower electric bills, tax incentives, reduced disposal fees, or even increased sales.
How to Green Your Business
Photo credit: Net Efekt
Going green is obviously a smart choice for both you and your business - but what can you do to be more environmentally friendly? For some companies, the answer is obvious. An oil company, for example, would be wise to search for and manufacture alternative fuel options. A manufacturing business may examine cleaner ways to produce their products or choose more sustainable materials for the process.
Many businesses, however, will need to look for more subtle ways to adopt greener practices. This could be something as simple as changing a light bulb or recycling. I’ve already mentioned 3 small things you can do to make your business greener in another post - here are a few more!
The Brick and Mortar Business World
Small offices, local stores, hair salons, and other small businesses that make our neighborhoods complete can find a variety of ways to make their company more environmentally friendly. Many of the same things we do to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home can be used in the office:
- Switch out standard light bulbs for Energy Star bulbs.
- Avoid chemical-laden cleaners and products, opting for eco-friendly versions.
- Substitute Styrofoam or plastic cups and food containers with biodegradable dishes.
- Recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum that passes through your office.
- If you can’t reuse boxes and shipping cartons that enter your doors, find a local arts and crafts program, moving company, or school that may have a use for them.
- Encourage shoppers to bring reusable shopping bags rather than contributing to the ever-growing plastic bag problem.
- Search for vendors and suppliers that do their part to improve the environment.
Home Based Businesses and Online Companies
Several of the ideas listed above can also make your internet or home based business more eco friendly. Some of these suggestions may work with a small office or shop as well:
- Purchase durable and sustainable computers and electronics.
- Use lamps with energy saving bulbs rather than overhead lights.
- Offer shipping with an eco-friendly carrier using biodiesel or alternative fuel.
- Save important information digitally rather than printing.
- Choose recycled and biodegradable packing materials.
Contractors, Builders, Landscapers, etc.
If your small business operates on the road or at the job site rather than out of an office, you can still make it greener.
- Provide estimates and invoices via email rather than wasting paper - use a recycled option if paperwork is a necessity.
- Power your equipment and tools with a diesel generator and consider biomass.
- Choose cleaner fuel alternatives for trucks and heavy machinery as well.
- Mulch, recycle, sell, or donate waste materials rather than burning or dumping.
- Buy materials and parts locally - from sustainable suppliers - whenever possible.
There are plenty of little things every business owner can do to make a greener, healthier planet. Your business can go green without buying a company hybrid or installing wind turbines - the little changes are just as important and equally beneficial!
What is your business doing to go green? Do you think more companies should adopt eco friendly policies? Share your thoughts on green businesses in the comments!
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