As humanity increasingly strains natural resources by exhausting and polluting them, it’s more important than ever that businesses help keep the environment clean and healthy and reverse existing damage. Additionally, since many people prefer to purchase products and services from environmentally-friendly businesses, your decision to make your business greener can also help improve your sales, referrals and reputation.
Recycle
Paper, glass, plastic, metal and other recyclable materials, including parts from electronics or e-waste, should never go into the trash and landfills. These materials can almost always be reused in some way. Many recycling centers also pay for certain recyclable materials and the government provides a tax break for electronics recycling donations and other green efforts.
Repair
Did you know that office and manufacturing equipment, HVAC units and other business systems waste energy when they fail to function at optimal levels? Regularly maintain and repair these systems to prevent this waste. Also, choose energy-efficient options whenever possible. For example, pick appliances for break rooms, kitchens and cafeterias that are marked with the Energy Star label.
Renovate
Certain renovations decrease energy consumption. For example, an electrical engineer can help you pick a programmable SMART grid that offers greater control over landscaping irrigation, interior temperature, lighting and other electrical systems so that they use energy more efficiently. A lot of people are choosing to study for a master’s in electrical engineering online because of a greater need for this type of expert in energy-saving green construction. An electrical engineer can also help you choose natural, low-energy consumption options like natural light building designs.
Reimagine
The best way you can make your business greener is by reimagining every level of it through “green” lenses. Think about all of your current production processes and then imagine how you might change them to increase efficiency and reduce waste. For example, you might reduce electricity waste by adding sensors to outlets that block standby power drain when computers and other equipment aren’t in use or reduce water waste by installing low-flow toilets.
Of course, these ideas are only the beginning of how you can pay it forward. Literally every area of your business can provide you with an opportunity to go green. From the type of disposable coffee cups you choose to how members of your office staff dispose of used broken or bent staples, you can make significant changes today at even the smallest level that help protect the environment.
