Although it might not be apparent, start-up companies can actually play a huge role in the condition of the environment and the wider world as we know it. Many people might overlook the impact that their start-up enterprise can have – and while the reality is that it isn’t going to be the responsibility of one company to really make a worthwhile change; contributing to the environment in any way can still be a great idea.
Could one start-up make a difference?
The impact of a single start-up could be fairly minimal, but this isn’t the point. With tens of thousands of businesses opening each year, and each one requiring a variety of activities to get off of the ground, it’s this number that quickly adds up when considering resources used, wasted and discarded. As a result, the impact of the entire industry of start-ups is increasingly substantial. Any startup advisory company will likely tell you the same thing.
That doesn’t mean that a single start-up couldn’t make a difference in energy saving and the environment, however. Each year, thousands of watts of electricity are used by small businesses, not to mention the plastic waste that is accumulated and more. By re-evaluating options available to a new company, these resources can be reduced in their usage, which in turn can help with energy-saving practices.
Going green
Green businesses are becoming more and more common and even established companies are making changes to reduce their carbon footprint. New companies are in a much better position, as they won’t typically have the set-ups that older and more established enterprises have. As a result, they can start out as they mean to continue – by utilising only organic, environmentally-friendly resources and activities to ensure that their energy usage starts low and stays low.
Things like solar panels and sourcing energy from wind farms can be beneficial to the environment, as can relying on reusable products that would typically be made from plastic. Opting for recycled goods is another good solution, as is reducing the need for electricity in general.
Even the biggest companies in the world have been trying to make the change to a green alternative and with so many options on the market for upgrading and replacing traditional resources and materials; it’s no wonder why. As so many start-ups take to the market every year, the impact and energy-saving potential that could be experienced would be phenomenal if more joined the green movement.
Making the change
With so many sources of alternative energy becoming increasingly available, it’s no wonder why companies are turning to them to reduce their carbon footprint, reduce their business expenses and evolve the structure of their company to become more environmentally friendly. Some of the most popular solutions include:
- Micromobility – which acts to replace the need for vehicles that consume fuel, by implementing a far more eco-friendly solution in the form of bicycles and scooters. Some of these scooters may be electric, but they rely on such a small amount of power to charge their batteries, which can often go for hours, if not days, depending on the model, that they are still far more energy-efficient than traditional vehicles.
- Renewable energy – another excellent option for businesses wanting to do their bit for the environment. Renewable energy, simply put, is a source of power that can be replaced, making it far more beneficial to the environment than fossil fuels. Additionally, there are many sources of renewable energy, including wind power, solar power, hydropower and biomass, which recycles components from previously-living organisms in a far less damaging way than with fossil fuels.
Innovative options
Research and development companies are continuously coming up with new and more innovative ways to incorporate renewable energy within traditional fields. Take solar panels for example – there was a time when they were only capable of storing a tiny volume of energy that was strong enough to power a lightbulb. These days, and thanks in no small part to modern technologies and their evolution, it’s now possible to provide energy to an entire building or negate the need for an expensive boiler by upgrading to a solar-water system instead.
There are even portable panels that can slip into a pocket that can be used to charge devices, thus negating the need to rely on electricity via power outlets. Over time, it is changes like these that can have a huge impact on the environment, as well as reduce the cost of energy bills for start-ups who will undoubtedly need to retain all of the cashflow that they have access to.
For companies that have space, there are even options for 3D printing solar-powered trees – complete with their own panels that not only look great, but provide a constant influx of energy to a building or office. Additionally, where traditional wind turbines can be dangerous to wildlife such as birds, there are even bladeless alternatives being introduced, providing safety without sacrificing on the potential for access to renewable energy.
As these solutions become more affordable and accessible to professional enterprises, there’s really no excuse not to consider changing. The benefits will not only show a reduction in electricity bills, but a more generalised effort whereby companies can enjoy the ability to sell their services and products while knowing that they are benefitting the world we live in. There’s an even stronger demand for eco-friendly businesses from consumers at the moment too, making the concept even more appealing.
Final thoughts
Going green doesn’t have to be difficult and there are many service providers out there that offer these conversion and transition services to companies of all sizes. Even the simplest switch from electricity to eco-solutions can have a positive impact on the environment, and the more join the movement, the better the results could be.
