With the continuous talk about climate change around the world, companies across the globe are finding themselves under more pressure to go green. But not every company has to be told to be eco-conscious—many find there’s also a cost-saving appeal to being more environmentally friendly, which can help your business in the long run. An eatery could switch from plastic straws to biodegradable ones, but that’s just the beginning. There are many advantages to reducing your company’s ecological footprint (other than recycling) and we have a guide for you.
Plastic Bags
While this approach is mostly common among grocery stores, other companies in different industries have adopted it as well. Most grocery stores now charge a small fee for plastic bags if you don’t provide your own at checkout, incentivizing customers to bring their own reusable bags. Most noticeably, The Disney Store has also scrapped their plastic bag usage and now supply reusable cloth bags, which can be purchased at checkout. One small difference: they don’t have any plastic bags at all, which means you either bring your own bag or you’re forced to buy one of their cloth bags, which is added to your bill.
Efficient Lighting
When it comes to bills, anything to do with electricity is always anyone’s guess. People now know to unplug any unused appliances, in order to save money, but there’s always more that can be done to lighten a consumer’s burdens. If possible, implementing solar power into your business is a great way to reduce your bill and help the environment, during the days that offer enough solar energy. Another way is to use energy-saving lightbulbs, which can save your company energy usage and money every month.
Transportation
Transportation always has a high carbon footprint, but it can be reduced, depending on an individual’s approach. If your business plans on supplying employees with a company car (or already does) try using hybrid cars instead. Encouraging carpooling is also a great way to get employees to be more eco-friendly, and can reduce traffic, since most cars only have one passenger on the road. If your business is downtown then a great perk is supplying your employees with a metro card, instead of having them rely on other means of transportation. It’s also a good way to boost morale, as employees will appreciate it and continue to remain productive and loyal.
Telecommuting
A great way to save money on rent for your business is to have your staff work remotely, when possible. With all the technology at our disposal, all most people need is their smartphone, the Wi-Fi password, and a laptop. With those tools, you can work virtually anywhere and still be as productive as if you were chained to a desk at work. Now, working remotely doesn’t have to be everyday but it can also provide a proper work/life balance that many employees crave lately, especially when building families. With more people working from home, you have less electricity being used at the office, saving you money and the environment.
Going Digital
One sure way to cut costs, without cutting trees, is introducing a more digital way of working. Of course, all businesses use computers but there are other ways that you can eliminate unnecessary waste or recycling. While most companies have opted to use digital means, there are others that still need to make the switch from paper paycheques to direct deposit. Many companies also come with apps that allow employees to look at their paystubs, with the option to print later. Another way to cut back is by using emails in replacement of memos, newsletters, or other in-office correspondence.
Dontei Wynter | Contributing Writer
