4 Steps Towards a Greener and More Sustainable Business
As businesses worldwide strive to become more sustainable, it is increasingly important to consider the environmental impact of all aspects of your business and focus on becoming more eco-friendly. Small changes can make a big difference, from reducing paper usage to increasing energy efficiency. Here are four simple steps you can take towards creating a greener and more sustainable business.
Increase Energy Efficiency and Carbon Output Metrics for Your Business
The first step is to analyse your business’s current metrics regarding energy efficiency and carbon output. This involves assessing how much electricity, water, gas, etc., your business uses each year, as well as calculating the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated from that usage. Once you have these figures, it will be easier to identify where energy and emissions can be reduced. After this assessment is complete, investigate ways to increase energy efficiency in areas such as lighting, heating/cooling systems, appliances, etc., and methods for reducing CO2 emissions.
Get Rid of Paper
Another great way to reduce your business’s environmental impact is by getting rid of paper whenever possible. This can include switching from printed documents or advertising materials to digital versions or using recycled paper if necessary. Encourage employees to use their own devices instead of printing documents that are only needed once or twice; this not only conserves trees but also saves money in the long run! Additionally, if you do need printed documents, make sure they are printed on both sides of the paper whenever possible.
Establish Rail Travel and a Cycling to Work Program
If your business requires employees to travel between offices or attend conferences/events regularly, then rail travel should be considered over air travel wherever possible due to its significantly lower carbon footprint; trains emit 75% less CO2 than planes per mile travelled. You could also introduce a cycling-to-work program that could save money on transport costs while providing numerous health benefits for employees who participate in it.
Encourage Employees to Work From Home
Finally, remote working has become increasingly popular, with many businesses offering employees the option of working from home one or two days each week (or even full-time!). Not only does this reduce transport costs, but it also reduces emissions from cars/buses/trains due to fewer people commuting each day.
For example, someone commuting from Poole to Bournemouth every day could have a better work-life balance if they worked from home, increasing job satisfaction and productivity levels. After all, even a fifteen-minute train journey every day can add up!
Becoming an environmentally friendly business isn’t just good for our planet; it will help save money in the long run too. Start implementing these strategies into your business’s operations now, and watch as your organisation flourishes.
