The oceans are choked with plastics, and landfills are overflowing. Environmental conservation is a pressing concern. In the United States, the citizens throw over 200 million tons of environmentally polluting wastes each year. The major contributors to these wastes are businesses.
All businesses, small to large-sized, contribute to the pollution creating greenhouse gases. The current environment is not a suitable habit for you and your family to live. It has been destroyed at an alarming rate.
However, there is good news. These are steps businesses have to take and turn things around. It is the role of all businesses, either a small sole proprietorship or a million-dollar corporation, to reduce environmental impact.
Here are five great ways to create an eco-friendly business model.
1. Reduce Energy Consumption
Aim at reducing energy consumption in your business using the countless options available. Start to install energy-efficient Underfloor Air Distribution to reduce operational energy costs. The next step is to replace incandescent light bulbs; use the LED fixtures and lights.
The other essential way is to power your business with alternative energy sources such as geothermal, solar, and wind. Recently, solar and wind energy have become a more accessible type of green energy suitable for business use. Therefore, opt to buy green energy for your business at reduced rates. By doing that, you will help to reduce environmental impact and lower your operation cost.
The reason to consider LED light is that it uses less energy. Also, it doesn’t have toxic gases and mercury present in fluorescent and incandescent lights.
2. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
One of the best ways to create an eco-friendly condition in your business is to reduce, reuse, or recycle products.
First and foremost, reduce reliance on inefficient products and energy forms – like electricity from the electric grid.
The other way is to avoid air conditioners and plastic bottles on colder days. During that time, consider reusing the products lying around. For example, if you have an older computer, use it for spare parts. Cut down the use of paper wastes and replace them with sticky note pads, notebooks, or tablets.
Recycling, on the other hand, should be your last step. That’s because it will not do much on the way you think. While cleaning and repurposing recycled goods, there is more energy consumption involved.
While your business adopts these small changes, it helps you to create a greener business environment.
3. Use Green Cleaning Products
If you have a clean office, it helps you and your employees increase productivity. However, the cleaning agents highly used are toxic to the environment – conserve the environment and have a better working place. To do so, replace the bathroom cleaners, hand soaps, window cleaners, and soap dish with greener brands.
Unfortunately, greener brands tend to be expensive. The best thing about these products is that many are concentrated and will save your money in the long run. Greener brands are beneficial; they help increase clarity, improve health, reduce allergic reactions, and create a healthier environment. Therefore, that’s a small price you will pay to enjoy these benefits.
Also, consider biodegradable cleaning products. These products will reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals and toxins. So, next time you budget for your laundry detergent, shampoo, or soap at your house or business, swap to greener options.
4. Choose Green Web Hosting
Servers have to run all the time, leading to environmental damages. If you choose green web hosting, ensure that some of the energy powering your business website is generated from a renewable power source.
5. Reduce Water Usage
In most parts of the country, they have a record of experiencing dry seasons. It has forced municipalities to enact stringent water rationing for households and businesses. Drought is ranked as second in the weather-related economic events in the country. It is recommended to reduce water use as a way to help conserve environmental sources and save money.
The Bottom Line
It is hard for you or your business to achieve sustainable development alone. You have to educate everyone to take part in reducing environmental impact. However, start by making your company environmentally friendly. The other individuals and companies will follow your steps. The above methods will help to reduce carbon footprint and save on operation costs. That enables you also to build trust with customers.
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