Our planet is at risk, and so as well as doing things at home, businesses must get on board too.
Even the smallest of changes can make a big impact so there should be no reason why we cannot all play our part.
Here are 5 ways to make your business more eco-friendly
Change your lighting systems
Many offices and warehouses are extensive in size and therefore use lots of energy for lighting. Motion sensor lighting is a great way to reduce energy consumption and reduce costs. Sensors are placed in various positions so only occupied areas are illuminated.
Another way to reduce energy is to switch to LED bulbs. Not only will you be playing your part for the environment, but they could drastically reduce your energy bills. Having solar panels can also save money and help the environment and whilst they may not be feasible for all businesses, they are worth looking into in any case.
Eco-friendly vehicles and fuel
It has been suggested that transportation accounts for around 30% of global warming emissions so if your business requires a fleet of vehicles then as well as using the most eco-friendly fuel, it’s important to buy or lease vehicles with lower emission ratings.
When vehicles reach the end of their life, make sure their replacements are as environmentally friendly as your budget will allow. If you do not do so already, considering using HVO biofuel supplied by companies such as Crown Oil. Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a form of renewable diesel that has been produced from vegetable fats and oils. Hydrogen is used as a catalyst in the creation process instead of methanol which makes it a more clean-burning, environmentally friendly diesel alternative.
Go paperless
Whilst it does involve an element of transition, going paperless can make a huge impact on the environment and has many business benefits also. Using computerised filing systems allows stored information to be accessed from anywhere that has permissions to do so. It also saves a lot of time that would usually be spent flicking through piles of paperwork to find a certain document.
Whilst many companies do recycle their paper, they are usually charged for a third-party company to remove their confidential documents, and so paper-free can save money in that area too.
Encourage staff to be greener
Encouraging staff to be more environmentally friendly in and around the workplace can have a huge impact, and they will be more likely to do so at home too. Many companies promote cycle to work schemes whereupon staff can purchase a bicycle through the company and pay it up in instalments.
Ensuring there are adequate recycling facilities within your office will encourage staff to use them. In common areas such as the office kitchen, ensure any items supplied by you, such as cups or cutlery, are not made of single-use plastic. If staff see that you are making changes to go greener, they will be more inclined to follow suit.
