How to Make Your Business More Eco-Friendly and Why This is Important
Being eco-friendly means that you are aware of how your daily activities impact the environment and that you’re working to reduce your carbon footprint. As an individual, you can become more environmentally friendly by walking, riding a bicycle, or even driving an electric car versus a gas-powered car. You can also switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet. As a business, however, there are different things you can do to become more eco-friendly, and here are seven.
#1: Create a Green Space
One of the easiest ways to go green in your business is to bring the green indoors. Studies have shown that plants and greenery can increase productivity in the workplace. They also can reduce the number of indoor air pollutants, making the air inside your walls cleaner and easier to breathe. Some of the best indoor plants include:
- Snake plant
- Rubber plant
- Peace Lily
- Fiddle-leaf fig
- English Ivy
- Bamboo palm
- Aloe vera
Keep in mind that some plants are toxic to pets and young children. This may not be an issue in the workplace, but it’s important to know if you want to add these plants to your own home.
#2: Go Paperless
Going completely digital and eliminating your use of paper is another good way to become more eco-friendly. It’s also very easy to do since we live in a digital world. Almost everything can be done online, so considered going paperless when it comes to your filing systems, billing, and other documents. If you can’t go completely paperless, consider printing on both sides of the paper so that you use less.
#3: Invest in Smart Devices to Save Energy
Did you know that there are a variety of smart devices that you can use in your building that will help save electricity and water? One of the best examples is smart LED light bulbs. These bulbs don’t use as much energy as traditional light bulbs, and they also last longer— which means you don’t have to replace them as often. Other smart devices and appliances include:
- Smart thermostats
- Smart toilets
- Smart plugs
Smart plugs may make the biggest difference because they automatically shut off electricity when a device isn’t in use. Of course, you’ll have to make sure that everything on your computer is saved to avoid losing work.
#4: Offer Remote Work for Employees
The COVID-19 pandemic required many people to work from home and as a result, many people are still working from home today. While many people have returned to the office, more and more companies have allowed their employees to continue working from home or adopt a hybrid workplace. Of course, not all businesses can allow all or even some of their employees to work from home— but if you can, this can be a great way to become more eco-friendly.
Working from home— even for just one or two days a week— cuts down on the amount of driving you and your employees will have to do. Because the majority of people drive gas-powered cars, this reduces the number of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.
#5: Partner With Green Suppliers
From electric companies to companies that actually supply your products, you can choose from a variety of green suppliers to work with. More and more companies are trying to become more environmentally conscious, so it won’t be hard to find another green company to work with.
#6: Recycle
Recycling is one of the easiest things you can do as a company and as an individual. Start by using recycling bins in the office instead of throwing everything in the trash. Oftentimes, people don’t recycle because there aren’t marked bins. Encourage your employees, customers/clients, and anyone else who visits your building to recycle.
#7: Use and Offer Sustainable Products
You can also use recycled paper or recycled materials to package your products, depending on the type of business you have. Sell recycled tote bags for your customers to shop with instead of using plastic bags. You can also sell metal water bottles and other reusable materials to help promote sustainability among your staff and your consumers.
Being an environmentally friendly company saves you money in the long run and allows you to have greater productivity. You’re also seen in a positive light by your current consumers and you will be by those who have yet to discover your business. It’s a smart business decision that not only benefits you, your employees, and your consumers, but the environment as well.