The going-green movement continues to gain popularity as people around the world become increasingly aware of their impact on the environment. While most people think of green living in terms of their home, businesses can also implement green changes that benefit both employees and the Earth. Choosing to green your business can also help expand your customer base and save your company money in the long term.
Green Cleaning
Green cleaning means replacing traditional cleaners that may contain potentially harmful or toxic chemicals with cleaners derived from natural ingredients. Business.gov, an official site of the U.S. Small Business Administration, advises business owners who are going green to only purchase cleaning products that are 100 percent biodegradable and non-toxic. The site also encourages businesses to consider the impact of washing harsh chemicals down drains and into the water supply. By encouraging the use of green cleaning products, you can reduce your employees' exposure to chemicals while reducing the amount of pollutants that can potentially end up in the water.
Virtual Employees
While encouraging employees to carpool, telecommute or bike to work whenever possible is one way businesses can go green, these options may not always be feasible for employees or business owners. Lydia Dishman of Entrepreneur magazine encourages outsourcing work to virtual assistants who specialize in providing a wide variety of services to businesses from a remote location. By using virtual employees, you eliminate the need for travel and conserve electricity, both of which can save your business money and help the environment.
Green Rooftops
If your business is in an busy metropolitan area or landscaping is simply not an option, you may consider creating a green rooftop if your building is located in a busy urban area. According to Nations Roof, a company that specializes in green roofing, creating a garden or just a grassy area on your rooftop can help to reduce your cooling and heating costs by adding insulation to the building and shielding your roof from some of the sun's direct rays. If a rooftop garden isn't feasible, consider installing a solar panel system, which can help to reduce your energy costs and your strain on the traditional power grid.
Rethink Your Paper Usage
Paper is one of the most often-used office products and the Sierra Club estimates that the average office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of paper every year. Cutting back on your paper usage conserves natural resources, such as trees and water, and doing simple things such as printing on both sides of the paper, using a smaller font and going paperless whenever possible can help to cut down on the amount of paper your business uses. Encourage employees to recycle paper and to use recycled paper products whenever possible, as these require less energy to manufacture than traditional paper products.
Increase Computer Efficiency
Computers represent a huge drain on electricity, and doing something as simple as adjusting their settings can help reduce your company's energy use. The Sierra Club estimates that computers in the business sector waste up to $1 billion dollars' worth of energy each year. Maximize the efficiency of your company's computers by adjusting their power settings and making sure they're turned off properly each night.
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