Many experts have spoken about the devastating effects of pollution and climate change. This is why more and more businesses feel the need to engage in environmentally friendly practices. Check out this list of eight ways to make your establishment more green.
1. Go Paperless
Try to maintain a paperless environment in your workspace. Documents and manuals should be distributed electronically. Only use your printers when absolutely necessary. You can send your employees messages reminding them to stick to using electronic forms. Note that many people find it easier to manage and organize electronic documents compared to paper ones.
2. Invest in LED Bulbs
LED bulbs utilize much less electricity than conventional lighting systems. Moreover, they have a longer lifespan than incandescent lights. You can change all the traditional lights in your building to LED ones. Doing so will make your workplace more energy-efficient. It will also save you a good deal of money in energy costs. When reworking the lighting systems in your building, think about marketing strategies for small businesses to find out how you can inform your customers that you are engaging in energy-efficient practices and use that piece of information as a way to attract more attention, build greater brand awareness, and increase sales.
3. Stock Reusable Items
Some items that cause the most waste in an office space are paper plates and plastic cups and cutlery. You can combat excess waste in your establishment by enforcing the use of reusable dishware and silverware. Your staff members can simply wash any dishes and eating utensils they use as opposed to throwing them away. You may even ask your employees to bring the dishes and cups they are no longer using at home so that you do not have to spend money purchasing new ones.
4. Use Smart Strips
Smart strips are a very useful item to have, especially in a work environment, because they cut off the flow of electrical current when a plugged-in device is not in use. You will likely have several electronic devices that are in standby mode for specific periods of time. If they are plugged into smart strips, you will not have to worry about them wasting large amounts of energy.
5. Recycle Objects
There are so many things one can recycle in a work setting. Items made out of paper, such as cardboard boxes and paper mail, can be recycled. Metal objects, such as aluminum cans and trays, can be placed in a recycling bin. If you have old electronic equipment in your office, you can send them to be processed at an electronic scrap facility. Many recycling facilities accept glass and plastic bottles, so be sure to recycle them regularly.
6. Install Solar Panels
Solar energy is renewable and a much cleaner source of power than the energy generated from fossil fuels. Consider hiring people to install solar panels on the rooftops of your business’ main building. These panels will convert sunlight into usable electricity, rendering you able to run your establishment on green power.
7. Take Advantage of Faucet Aerators
A faucet aerator is an amazing tool that can help you conserve water. This tool adds air into the water that comes out of a faucet. This gives you the chance to experience high water pressure without utilizing substantial amounts of water. Faucet aerators are relatively easy to install, so you should not experience any problems attaching them to the various faucets in your workplace’s kitchen and bathrooms.
8. Encourage Carpooling
Carpooling is a great way to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Motivate your employees to carpool to and from work. Tell them about the benefits of carpooling–how it reduces fuel consumption, traffic congestion, and pollution. You may even want to offer reward systems so that more of your employees feel compelled to participate.
Everyone on the planet needs to make greener choices. Doing so can help the environment and the human race.
Author: Finnegan Pierson
