As a business-owner, you have the responsibility of bettering your community and the world by reducing your company’s carbon footprint. Continue reading for simple ways to go green and make a positive impact.
Reduce
Think about how you can reduce your business’s effects on the environment. The energy you use in your office is a great place to start. These energy-saving tips will help you identify ways you can save energy and take immediate action to do so. Reducing travel by limiting nonessential business trips—especially by plane and car—is another excellent way to realign. With all the online collaboration tools we have at our disposal, you can drastically reduce your effects on the environment.
Reuse
Reusing whenever possible is a simple way to reduce your company’s carbon footprint without feeling restricted. You can reuse paper, containers, materials, and office supplies before tossing them. Encourage all departments to reuse packaging for incoming materials and outgoing products.
Recycle
Recycling is a meaningful way to reduce waste, but it’s not as simple as throwing everything in a bin and calling it a day. Many different types of waste require special handling, and it’s up to you to make sure everything is disposed of correctly.
- Plastic: Recycling centers and many grocery stores will recycle your used plastic bags so that you don’t have to throw them in the trash.
- Paper: If you’re recycling paper, take the time to remove any staples or tape from it before you throw it away, as these can get caught in the machinery.
- Batteries: You must appropriately recycle all batteries. Although alkaline batteries no longer contain harmful materials, you still want to be careful when disposing of them. Earth911 has a recycling locator for all types of batteries; just enter your ZIP code to find your nearest battery recycling center.
Paperless Office
Think of all the paper in your office: invoices, receipts, pay stubs, checks, shipping forms, et cetera. These documents are all printed on paper made from trees that were once part of a living ecosystem. According to the University of Southern Indiana, Americans use 85,000,000 tons of paper a year—this means you can reduce your carbon footprint by transitioning to a paperless office. Some ideas to consider include:
- Choosing email over fax
- Creating an electronic signature
- Using cloud storage services instead of filing cabinets
Your company can reduce pollution and contamination in various ways; it’s just a matter of figuring out what works best for you and your employees. Make sure to investigate the cost of implementation and the long-term cost benefits—finding effective, economic measures is essential.
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