In today’s market, lots of people are watching the carbon footprints of businesses they use. If you’re not green enough, you may see your customers heading elsewhere. For that reason, it’s both economically and environmentally wise to try to make your business more ecologically sound. Here are three ways to do that.
Improving Input Options
There are lots of ways that you can adjust your processes by looking at different methods of getting your inputs. Green inputs are marketed as such, so it is well worth your time to investigate suppliers. Even if your business doesn’t manufacture anything, there are ways you can do better. For example, if your business uses a lot of paper, you can buy paper with a high recycled content. You might also be able to convert some of your processes to electronic format to eliminate some paper use. Even something as simple as defaulting your printer to double-sided printing can help.
Powering Your Operation
The use of energy is a major issue in going green. The less energy you can use, the better. Sure, programmable thermostats and LED lights are a great start, but you can do more without impacting performance. Locate contractors, someone like Harmon Solar, who can get you started with solar power service. You may or may not be able to supply your entire operation with the sun’s energy, but even if you can just illuminate the parking lot or support your computers and servers with it, you’re doing some great things for your carbon footprint. Don’t forget the impact this will have on your long-term energy costs, too.
Managing Waste
So far we’ve looked at what comes into your business. Now it’s time to talk about what comes out. Every business has at least some waste. Manufacturing often has scraps of metal, wood, rubber, and other raw materials. Offices have old paperwork to discard. Medical facilities have biohazard waste. All of those outputs can be disposed of more creatively to reduce their impact on the environment. Keeping trash separated into recyclable components will keep lots of your garbage out of the landfill. Repurposing and recycling waste materials can put them to work elsewhere. Even biohazard waste, which is incinerated, can be reduced with some improvements in the consumption of things like tape and gauze.
Going greener doesn’t have to cost millions. These simple tips can easily pay for themselves through increased revenue, so investigating your options for adjusting your business model can be a solid management move.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.