In a world where people are starting to be more conscious of their impact on the environment, it behooves businesses to align their operations with this growing social cause. Here are five ways on how to lessen your business’ environmental impact.
Determine How Much Waste Your Business Generates
The first step in eliminating waste is deciding how much of it you produce. This waste pertains to anything, from hallway lights left open after work hours to food at the breakroom that gets thrown out every day. You don’t even need to calculate it down to precise numbers; make a mental note of how much resources are left unused and try to reduce, if not wholly, eliminate them.
Install Renewable Alternatives
The future belongs to renewable energy sources, like wind and solar. They’re clean, increasingly low-cost, and come with a lot of tax breaks from both federal and state governments. Google which renewable energy providers you have around the area and check with the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), for information regarding any local incentives for which you could potentially be eligible.
Avoid Water Waste
Electricity is used whenever you boil clean water and process sewage water, not to mention there are carbon emissions produced from both these tasks. Reduce your facility’s water consumption by lowering water heater temperatures and fixing leaks as soon as they are detected. Replace your standard shower heads and kitchen faucets with low-flow and aerated alternatives to reduce the actual amount of water being delivered per second.
Recycle
Your carbon footprint goes beyond the water and electricity being used by your business. All of the products and supplies you use also have a direct environmental impact when they reach landfills. Have several recycling stations scattered around the workplace, so it’s easier for your employees to segregate waste from recyclables.
Support Environmental Groups
A less direct but equally powerful approach to environmental conservation is by supporting local groups whose mission is to save the earth. Whether it’s non-profit groups that are trying to fight abusive and wasteful agricultural practices or organizations that are trying to disrupt illegal logging through technology, find and collaborate with these like-minded people.
Reducing environmental impact is not only good for the environment; it reduces your operational expenses and favorably positions your brand in the eyes of the public.