Going green has become a trend for a lot of major organisations now days. However, small businesses find it quite difficult to adapt to an eco-friendly approach since it involves a big investment and resources. Most small businesses do not adapt to a green system as they are concerned with survival and business profit. But we have a few tips that can help even the smallest businesses to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.
The very first tip for small businesses to go green is to recycle stationery. Most of the stationery can be reused. Re-use printed papers for draft printing and you will save a lot of money. This will also benefit the environment. You can also save some pages if you can set your printer for double printing, which will cause it to print on both sides of the paper. This will reduce your paper cost by almost 50%.
Another tip to for small business to go green is to use technology. Instead of using memos or letters, you can use email or text messages. With technology, you could eliminate most of your printing needs.
You could also use teleconferencing or Skype for business meetings. This will reduce your fuel consumption and carbon footprint by eliminating the need for people to travel to and from a special meeting place. Even if the conference room is in the same building, using the extra room means using extra electricity. Why do it if it isn’t absolutely necessary?
Another way to go green is to use energy efficient lights in your office, which use less energy but give you the same lighting. If it is possible, try to use natural lights in your office. This will dramatically reduce your utility bills.
Encourage employees to replace one-time uses drink containers with re-usable mugs or cups. There are many on the market that look like fast-food drink cups or coffee house cups and can be used over and over again.
If you have a little bit of money, you can install solar energy panels in your office. Most state agencies provide subsidies for solar panels, and you can also pay for them in installments.
Although it will cost you some money initially, you will save a fortune in the long run. These tips do not need any huge investment or modification in the way you operate your business. With these, you can go green and play your role in sustaining the environment.
