Build A Greener Business With These Tips

Preserving and protecting the planet is everyone’s responsibility, including entrepreneurs and business owners. Nowadays, building a greener business has become a mainstream goal for business owners. A recent study showed that 78% of consumers are more likely to purchase from green businesses with environmental-friendly products. Ultimately, a green company won’t only help preserve the environment, but it’ll also make your brand look more appealing to your target market, who share the same values.   

But before you switch your company to go green, it’s helpful to understand first the type of carbon footprint your business often produces. Having this information will make it easier for you to identify what changes you’ll need to make for your business to become eco-friendlier. Thankfully, there are many ways you can switch and achieve a green company.  

Find out more on how to make your business greener and environmental-friendlier.  

1. Find Ways To Conserve Energy  

The amount of energy usage usually depends on your business type and size. On average, micro and medium-sized businesses use up to 15,000 kWh to 50,000 kWh of electrical energy each year. But there are simple solutions or changes you can make to help conserve energy and even lower your annual energy consumption.  

For example, instead of heavily relying on your electricity to light up the workplace, maximize the natural sunlight in your business premises by opening your windows, using a bright color scheme on your walls, or using sheer curtains. To save energy from your HVAC system, take advantage of the fresh air to help cool the workplace.   

Better yet, why not switch to solar energy? Using solar energy can significantly reduce your business’s carbon footprint, and you won’t have to depend on electrical power anymore. You may check this out and find a commercial solar installation service to help you build a greener business and make a positive impact on the environment.  

2. Go Paperless 

For most businesses, paper is among the most used materials in the workplace. Some resources stated that office workers use an average of over four million tons of paper annually, and 70% of the overall company waste is made up of paper. With more paper you use and waste every year, more trees need to be cut to produce more paper and keep up with the increasing demand.  

So, instead of becoming one of the reasons millions of trees are cut, make your business go green by going paperless. You don’t have to transform into a paperless business in a day. You can go paperless by starting in small steps, like: 

• Unsubscribe from magazine or newspaper subscriptions and get a digital copy instead 
• Avoid sending out paper invoices or bills and switch to e-bills and digital invoices 
• Store essential data online through PDF forms or cloud storage instead of printing hundreds of documents and filing them in your drawers 

With a paperless business, you’ll simply have chairs, desks, and computers, and all the transactions for your clients will be done digitally. Best of all, you’ll no longer have to deal with endless paper waste, reducing your carbon footprint and, at the same time, helping preserve the trees. 

3. Collaborate With Local Suppliers 

Some entrepreneurs don’t realize how the supply chain is among the primary sources of carbon footprint. It’s mainly because transporting supplies and materials over long distances can cause pollution and produce massive greenhouse gas emissions. One way to reduce your carbon footprint through the supply chain is by collaborating with local suppliers.  

Sourcing locally eliminates the need to transport goods and supplies in long distances, reducing your shipping costs and, at the same time, minimizing your energy usage and gas emissions. Plus, working with local suppliers can greatly help your local economy. 

4. Use Sustainable Packaging 

If your business sells and ships products to your customers, packaging will be a major part of your business operation. And unfortunately, product packaging is also one of the primary sources of business waste. Although plastic may be the most convenient packaging material, 77% of customers claim that plastic isn’t environmentally responsible.  

For a green business operation and to reduce waste, use sustainable packing materials. Some great options for sustainable packaging may include: 

• Packing paper 
• Recycled paper (e.g., old newspapers) 
• Corrugated cardboard 
• Reusable plastic tubs 
• Bioplastics 

Whichever materials you use, using sustainable packaging will reduce your business’s carbon footprint, helping the environment and positively impacting your brand’s reputation.  

5. Make Use Of Secondhand Items 

When organizing or redecorating your business workplace, you don’t necessarily have to invest in new furniture pieces every time. Although it’s aesthetically better to buy brand-new or custom-made furniture, if you’re serious about building a greener business, you’ll need to make some concessions at this point.  

So, to reduce landfill waste and help with resource preservation, you can purchase secondhand office items or furniture pieces. You can find some beautiful vintage pieces to spruce up your workplace in an eco-friendly way while saving on your business costs. 

Let Your Business Be Part Of The Change 

Every business is unique, and some of these tips may or may not work for you. Nonetheless, evaluate your current business operation and see what changes you can make for a greener company. 

As a green business, you can set an excellent example to your staff and your clients about the importance of getting involved in preserving the environment. So, utilize your power as an entrepreneur to encourage change and share your green values with the business world.

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].