Did you know about 65 percent of Americans prefer eco-friendly brands?
With the consequences of climate change bearing their ugly face, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of people are starting to take note. Not only that, but they also want to act. Choosing to buy eco-friendly products from environmentally friendly businesses is one ideal way to act.
If your business isn’t visibly eco-friendly, you’re probably losing more customers to competitors that are running green businesses. Don’t wait until it’s too late to act.
You can start building a green business at any time. You just need to know how to do it.
Continue reading for a comprehensive guide.
Create Workplace Policies That Promote Environmental Sustainability
One of the most impactful steps you can take to build an eco-friendly business is to design and implement organizational policies that promote a culture of environmental sustainability.
For example, a simple policy such as making email the primary tool for communication in the workplace can do a lot for the environment. Email eliminates the need to have unnecessary meetings.
You’re probably wondering how emails and meetings have anything to do with the environment. The answer is hidden in plain sight.
When there’s a meeting, employees are certainly going to meet in a room. The air conditioning system will probably be running. HVAC systems are big consumers of electricity. But if there’s no meeting, the AC system in the room will be off. This reduces your business’s energy consumption.
Imagine the impact such policies will have over a long period of time. Now you can see the importance of creating policies that promote eco-friendliness in your organization!
Paperless Office
Isn’t it amazing that even with the digital age fully taking charge paper is still here with us? The average worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper every year. Factor in the number of workers in your organization and see the colossal amount of paper you’re using.
Paper comes from trees. So, the more paper we use, the more trees manufacturers need to cut down. Yet, trees are the lungs of the earth. They turn the carbon oxide we breathe out and turn it into pure oxygen.
Plus, trees attract rainfall. Sure, sea levels are on the rise as a result of global warming, but this doesn’t mean we don’t need more rainfall. We consume more rainwater than seawater.
Do you need any more examples to see how paper consumption isn’t good for the environment? Plus, going paperless in your office will help slash your stationery expenses.
That being said, you aren’t going to just ban the usage of paper in your office. First, start by creating policies that discourage the use of paper. For instance, encourage employees to use digital spreadsheets instead of printing out documents. Gradually, you’ll achieve a paperless office.
Go Solar
If you want to build an environmentally friendly business, embrace solar power.
Solar power is the fastest-growing type of alternative energy in the United States. Homeowners and business owners alike are rushing to install solar panels. Of course, the cost savings are apparent, but it’s the environment that reaps the greatest reward.
To understand how solar power is good for the environment, you have to look beyond the fact that solar energy is clean and renewable.
As of 2021, 60 percent of America gets its power from fossil fuels. The generation of electricity from fossil fuels produces greenhouses. These gases pollute the environment and deplete the ozone layer.
What if America stopped relying on fossil fuels for electricity? Greenhouse emissions would decline substantially.
What’s going to cause a decline in America’s reliance on fossil fuels? It’s the people like you who’re planning to switch to solar power.
When you go 100 percent solar in your business, you’ll disconnect from your traditional power source. As more people disconnect, the demand for electricity from fossil fuels declines.
Click here to learn more about solar power for business.
Offer Remote Work
As the COVID-19 pandemic eases, employers are planning to recall employees back to the workplace. Are you among these employers?
If you’re and one of your goals is to make your business eco-friendlier, don’t be so fast to recall your workers to the office. Offering remote work is a good way to improve your sustainability agenda.
The idea behind this is simple, really. When you have fewer workers in the office, consumption of energy will reduce. Plus, your employees won’t have to commute, meaning they’ll have contributed to a reduction of transport-related emissions that harm the environment.
Use Sustainable Products/Services in the Office
Eco-conscious consumers are careful about the products they purchase. As a business owner, you need to be conscious too. Ensure you’re purchasing eco-friendly products.
When purchasing office appliances, for example, ensure they have the energy star mark. This mark shows that the product has met energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Even when shopping for a service, ensure it’s being offered by an eco-friendly business. A good example is when it comes to web hosting. There are companies that offer green web hosting.
Build an Environmentally Friendly Business
Building an environmentally friendly business might seem like an unnecessary thing, especially if you’re on a tight budget, but it’s not. Consumers want eco-friendly products and services. They want to purchase from eco-friendly businesses.
Besides helping save the planet and reverse the course of climate change, building an eco-friendly company will save you money in the long run.
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