Climate change is a pressing threat and many businesses are looking for ways to lessen their carbon footprint.
According to Forbes, going green isn't good for the planet, alone. It's good for business. 80% of consumers respect eco-friendly businesses and prefer shopping with them!
Becoming an environmentally friendly business may seem like a large mountain to climb, but there are plenty of little things you can start doing to make a difference.
Read on for a few eco-friendly business practices you can implement today.
Listen to the Experts on Eco-Friendly Business Practices
One of the best ways to make the change to environmentally friendly business practices is to listen to the experts who can tell you which changes are the most impactful and which are negligible. The Climate Leadership Council is a great resource to turn to when you're in search of practical tips for a greener business!
Use Recycled Paper and Cardstock
Do you still hand out business cards and send your newsletters via the postal service? Consider switching from your current paper supplier to one that offers recycled or "tree-free" paper.
You'll want to find a recycled paper supplier in your local area. That way, you're also reducing the emissions it takes to send packages a long distance. Plus, you can let your consumers know that in one move, you've switched to post-consumer waste products and invested in your local economy!
Go Energy-Efficient
If you want to create a more energy-efficient office, look to your lighting. First, replace your incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. Though they may cost a bit more, they use less energy while they burn and they last longer, which will save you money in the long run.
Second, don't leave your lights on after hours. Many businesses leave their offices and parking garages lit after everyone has clocked out and gone home for the day or even the weekend. It's time to start flipping all of those lightswitches before you head out!
Limit Travel
Do you and your team travel several times a year to attend conferences or meet out-of-town clients? Consider limiting your plane travel, in particular, and your car travel as much as possible. Keep in mind that train travel is one of the more environmentally friendly ways to get around.
The most environmentally friendly way to conduct long-distance business is to hold virtual meetings. There are tons of free or low-cost online resources that make video conferencing a breeze which means that you can start closing deals right from your own office.
Make Longterm Goals
We've provided a few ideas for eco-friendly business practices that can be implemented in a short amount of time. However, if you want to get serious about environmental friendliness, you'll need to set some longterm goals. For example, you could commit to switching to all recycled packaging for your products in the next two years or go paperless in your communication.
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