Save Your Business Money With Smart, Green Measures
If you run a business, either from home or elsewhere, money is what keeps it going. As well as trying to make more money, you’re always trying to find ways to save. It’s also important to be a responsible company and show that you have strong values. If you want to tackle both of these issues at the same time, looking for ways to be a greener business is a great idea. You can save money and show your customers and employees that you care about the environment. There are plenty of things you can do, both big and small.
Reduce Use of Paper and Single-use Materials
Offices can use many different products that are thrown away after one use. A lot of paper is used, and then there’s plastic pens, paper clips and other items that are easily disposable. If you want to reduce your reliance on single-use products, start by digitizing your business instead of relying on paper. Another thing you can do is reconsider your office supplies. For example, you could switch to pens that need to have their ink refilled. They’re often better quality and heavier, so people treat them more carefully and keep track of them.
Use Less Water
Your business is likely to use water in some way, even if it’s only in bathrooms or to make coffee. If you want to cut down on how much you use, you can use flow restrictors to reduce the amount that your employees use. You will also have to get them to participate in your efforts to save water. If you have any landscaping, you can consider how to water plants or grass in the most efficient way. For example, you can use sprinklers during the cooler parts of the day during the summer. It could also be possible for you to collect rainwater.
Make Energy Changes
Your business can use a lot of energy in a typical working day. It’s expensive and it increases your carbon footprint. Fortunately, you can find plenty of ways to use less energy and to generate your own using renewable energy. Solar power will deliver new energy for your company so you spend less on traditional energy sources. You can get credits from your energy company by supplying them with electricity too. There are smaller things you can do as well, from changing light bulbs to LEDs to making sure to power down equipment at the end of the day.
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Source Sustainable Goods and Services
When you’re procuring goods and services for your business, you can try to make sure they come from sustainable sources. Find vendors that source things responsibly and sustainably and that don’t use excessive amounts of packaging for their deliveries. It’s also a good idea to use local suppliers. When vendors are local, there’s less distance for their goods to travel to meet you. This makes them more eco-friendly because they have a lower carbon footprint.
Make your business greener with these tips and you can save money too. Your business benefits in more ways than one.