With climate change becoming more and more of a pressing issue, many companies and business owners are trying to make their practices more environmentally friendly. Additionally, many companies are beginning to find out that the adoption of environmentally and socially responsible policies can spawn several other benefits, including improved corporate reputations and increased profits.
If you’re a business owner, it’s therefore likely in your best interests to make your company greener. Here are 5 simple ways that you can adjust your business to make it more environmentally friendly.
Conserve Energy
One of the largest sources of a company’s carbon footprint is how much heating and electricity it uses. To this end, one of the most important things you can do to make your business more environmentally friendly is to reduce its energy consumption. This can be achieved in several simple ways, such as by turning off all lights and devices at the end of the business day, and by installing energy-efficient lighting. In addition, operating out of well-insulated buildings can help to radically reduce your heating bill.
Partner with Other Eco-Friendly Companies
Another easy way you can make your business practices much greener is to exclusively partner with other environmentally and socially conscious companies and suppliers. In particular, there are several energy suppliers out there that exclusively use sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Elsewhere, companies such as sustainable raw material manufacturers and eco-friendly web hosting companies can also be good choices to partner with.
Embrace Sustainable Products
On a broader scale, trying to adopt environmentally friendly products for your company on a wider scale can do wonders for your corporate social responsibility. Recycled and recyclable cardboard and plastic products are a great place to start in this respect. Sustainable packaging products are also highly important if you regularly make deliveries as part of your business model.
Go Virtual
The daily commutes of your employees can also add a significant amount to your company’s carbon footprint. And while encouraging cycling and walking initiatives can improve this to some extent, for many individuals, these means of transportation will not be viable. As a result, one of the most effective ways you can make your business more eco-friendly is to promote remote working. Similarly, encouraging virtual meetings as opposed to face-to-face ones can further reduce unnecessary travel, thereby making your business greener.
Save Water
Elsewhere, reducing your company’s water consumption is also an important part of making it more sustainable. This is particularly true if your company has a high water footprint, with companies in the garment and automotive manufacturing industries being examples of these. Additionally, as with reducing energy usage, saving on water can also help you to save money on your monthly bills.
Several exemplary ways you can conserve water as a business include the adoption of water-efficient technologies and the installation of systems that recycle water for use in boilers. Moreover, educating your employees on the importance of water conservation can further assist you here.
