If your business would like to contribute to making our environment cleaner, there are numerous ways to reduce your carbon footprint and otherwise lessen your adverse impact on the earth's land, air and water. The Environmental Protection Agency has specific policies for environmentally preferable purchasing practices, and there are other, creative ways to help, as well. In addition to helping the planet, you'll save money and gain positive public relations benefits.
Start Recycling
If you don't already have a recycling program at work, start one with the help of your local recycling center and building manager. They can help you by supplying bins for sorting paper and plastic and arranging pickup times. Educate employees about what types of plastics your program recycles and set office goals with a monthly bonus or reward for success. Remind employees not to put sensitive documents in the paper recycling bin and consider putting a paper shredder near the bins.
Purchase Green
The EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing guidelines outline procedures to help you procure goods and service that create less environmental damage than others. These goods and services may help the environment by using recycled materials in their manufacture, have green packaging, use less energy to create, be recyclable or require less maintenance. Ask your suppliers and contractors what green practices they follow so you can make environmentally sound choices.
Reduce Energy Consumption
Changing the lighting in your offices and other buildings to more energy-efficient bulbs reduces energy use and saves you money. Energy-efficient bulbs also last longer, saving your company money while reducing the amount of waste in landfills. Buy copiers that power down when not in use and make sure all employees use the sleep mode on their computers. When you use less energy, your local power company needs to generate less energy, reducing fossil fuel emissions if the plant is coal-fired. Many power companies will come to your place of business and conduct a free energy audit, suggesting ways for you to reduce your energy consumption.
Reduce Commuting
Offer to pay for or subsidize rail and bus passes for employees. Create a ride-share program with a subsidy for those who drive one or more fellow employees, or start an employee pickup program with a van service company. Reducing driving time, driving in the HOV lane, reducing gas, oil and maintenance costs and eliminating parking fees may be big enough incentives for employees to pay a nominal amount to participate. If you have a fleet of company cars or trucks, consider more fuel-efficient models, including alternative-energy vehicles. Add a regular inspection and maintenance program for company-owned vehicles driven by employees. Proper engine tuning, tire pressure and other maintenance all help improve fuel consumption. Changing your working hours to start and end one hour before rush hours decreases commute times and fuel use for employees. Allowing employees to telecommute full time or one to two days per week will also decrease fuel consumption.
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