An increasing number of businesses are incorporating greener practices today, and for a very good reason. Apart from helping to make the planet healthier, focusing on eco-friendliness can also benefit the company in more ways than one, as both the employees and the customers tend to value and prefer greener businesses. If these facts have convinced you to focus on environmental friendliness as well, here are some of the simplest first steps you could take in order to run a more sustainable business this year.
Focus on recycling
Although often overlooked, recycling is one of the easiest ways your business can be more sustainable. All it takes is placing a few separate bins for paper, plastic, glass, and other materials, and educating your staff on how to use them appropriately. If you have an in-office kitchen, including a compost bin for any food scraps could also be of great help, while encouraging employees to choose reusable instead of single-use items can significantly reduce the amount of waste your company produces overall.
Try to go paperless
Paper makes up a significant percentage of total waste produced by most offices, even though it contributes to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce this environmental impact, your company can attempt to go paperless by conducting all of your business digitally and online. In case there’s still a need for printing in some instances, using recycled paper, refillable ink cartridges, and printing on both sides of the paper can help you to minimize your negative impact and lead a more sustainable business in 2022.
Invest in workwear
Any aspect you attempt to improve, no matter how small, could have a positive environmental impact. This includes the equipment you choose as well. For instance, the best men's workwear you could opt for are products that are not only high in quality, but also ethically and sustainably made. If you ensure the workwear is also suitable and durable, you can invest in the safety and security of your employees with appropriate work gear, while focusing on being more eco-friendly in 2022 as well.
Reduce your energy use
It comes as no surprise that energy is one of the most wasteful aspects for many businesses. Fortunately, it is also among the easiest ones to improve. Just by switching to LED lightbulbs, using motion-activated lights, and incorporating timers for lighting, you can noticeably reduce your energy consumption. If you want to go a step further, updating your HVAC system and using energy-efficient tools, equipment, and machinery could also be of great help. Considering renewable energy sources such as wind and solar might be beneficial for the sustainability of your business as well.
Reduce CO2 emissions
With the high number of individuals commuting to and from work every day, it’s no wonder that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are among the biggest environmental issues at the moment. In an effort to reduce this, your business can focus on lowering your collective impact by encouraging your employees to use public transportation whenever possible, or even by implementing programs that motivate your staff to walk or bike to work. In case these options aren’t viable, or you’re looking for alternative solutions, asking your teams to work from home can significantly minimize the amount of CO2 your company emits as well.
Going green can often be a challenging process, but the environment and your company will both benefit from some positive changes. And as long as you follow the helpful tips mentioned above, becoming a more sustainable business in 2022 might even be easier than you initially thought.
Written by Diana Smith
About the Author
Diana Smith is a full time mum of two beautiful girls and is interested in sustainability, ecology and home improvement. She enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family. You can find her on Twitter here.
You may also like
Clean Business Upgrades to Go Green and Save Energy
What is The Importance of an Environmental Consultant?
10 Things You Must Know About Recycling Solar Panels
Creative Ways to Market Your Sustainable Business