If there’s one thing that’s top of the agenda for modern businesses, it’s becoming a more environmentally friendly business. The world is making a priority of carbon reductions as it aims to achieve net zero by 2050, and businesses of all sizes have a part to play.
There is a net gain to making your business more efficient; it allows you to save money and future-proof your business with the right changes. Here are some eco friendly business ideas.
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Key Takeaways: Environmentally Friendly Business
- Digital workstations are an excellent way to reduce paper usage and support the planet
- Make sure every aspect of your business is green, including the website you are using
- Invest in reconditioned technology and recycled furniture for your new office space
- Use digital workstations to reduce commuting for your employees and reduce emissions
- The supply chain of the business is an opportunity to future-proof the business overall
Reduce Paper Use
Using paper in your business impacts the environment in two ways. Paper requires tree felling to create it, which reduces carbon dioxide absorption; additionally, the paper needs to be created and transported, putting more Co2 into the air.
There is no need to use paper in businesses today with the proliferation of digital platforms, so it’s an easy way to go greener.
Green Website
When you run a business website that is heavily used for sales and customer processes, it’s easy to assume that your business is green; after all, an online business might have a short supply chain, if any, and doesn’t require an office using energy from the grid and a network.
However, websites can also contribute to carbon emissions depending on the website host.
Every website needs to be hosted on servers that can be heavy carbon emitters. The best way to make your online business environmentally friendly is to contact your host to find out about the energy source.
Smart Lighting For Environmentally Friendly Business
If you run an office, you need to check what bulbs you are using for lighting. If you are using incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lamps, your business could be more energy efficient and greener.
LED lighting for your business might be pricey to buy and install, especially all at once, but LED lighting draws a small amount of power from the grid, and they also last twice as long.
However, do be careful if you wear glasses with LED lighting. I burned my eye on morning working under the LED lights close to my computer and ended up in the ER.
Lisa from Small Biz Tipster
Employee Commuting
Transport is a heavy carbon contributor, especially in urban areas. The good news is this source of carbon is easy to cut if you can offer your employees remote positions. Digital workstations also have a number of advantages for the business, and employees enjoy flexibility as well.
If you aren’t able to offer remote workstations to employees – perhaps your business relies on motorized transport throughout the working day – you can still cut carbon by using a tracking app for your employees.
Monitor and optimize employee movements to reduce carbon output and make a more environmentally friendly business.
Green Vendors
Companies and customers are wise to the processes of businesses these days, so it’s beneficial to source the greenest vendors for your business. If the vendor is particularly cheap, dig into their processes to find out how green they are.
Unless you invest in a green supply chain, your business will be at risk. Chances are you will have to go green to survive long term.
Office Recycling Increases An Environmentally Friendly Business
One excellent way to make your business greener is to recycle and reuse as much as possible. The world is moving towards a circular economy in which more items and products are recycled and reused as much as possible, avoiding waste and reducing emissions to support the planet.
If you are opening a new office for your business, find Office Furniture Removal Services to remove and recycle any existing office furniture. Then, invest in recycled furniture that suits your business and aligns with your brand. It helps to create the best foundations for your business.
Reconditioned Technology
When it comes to investing in technology for your business, you have two options; you can buy new technology or invest in reconditioned items. These days, reconditioned technology offers better value for money, but it doesn’t reduce the quality of your infrastructure.
Not only that, reconditioned technology is more environmentally friendly and supports your green credentials.
Recycled Furniture For Environmentally Friend Businesses
As with reconditioned technology, recycled furniture for your office is a greener and cleaner option that supports your eco-credentials as a business. Again, recycled furniture, along with reconditioned technology, is one of the best ways to invest in the circular economy in the office.
Most offices need desks for computers, chairs for employee workstations, whiteboards for meeting rooms, and waiting room furniture. Most of these items can be found online for less. Using secondhand furniture from a previous office allows you to keep office furniture uniform.
Energy Efficiencies For Your Sustainable Business
Don’t forget about the energy efficiency of your business. Again, this is a fundamental part of making your business greener, and it’s not a set-and-forget process.
On the contrary, you need to monitor the energy efficiency of your business closely and consistently to make any changes that can improve the business. Ensure you are signed up for the best renewable energy plan.
Supply Chain
Businesses with supply chains need to pay close attention to the supply chain processes in order to create a business that aligns with the latest innovations and technologies. Supply chains involve manufacturers, distributors, warehousing operatives, and a number of vendors.
Making your supply chain greener is an excellent way to create confidence with customers and clients and to future-proof your business. Make your supply chain greener by bringing your manufacturers closer to home and using the latest technologies to create more efficiency.
You can purchase eco friendly business products from these types of suppliers.
Conclusion of Environmentally Friendly Businesses
Businesses across the board need to make efficacy changes and become more planet friendly. The reason is that customers, governments, and other businesses are moving toward greener practices to achieve net zero by 2050. It’s clear these changes will need to be made eventually.
Making your environmentally friendly business in the short term gives you an advantage in the industry; you can be on the ground floor of eco-changes and create a brand with a lasting reputation for energy efficiency and carbon reductions. These ideas are a great place to start.
Have you begun any of your environmentally friendly business processes for your company? I’d love to hear more about it in the comments below.
