April 12, 2022
Are you eager to turn your business into a beacon of eco-friendliness but as financially fluid as a dried-up creek? Well, there’s no need to worry because you can indeed improve upon on your operations, to make them greener than ever before without your finances withering away.
That being the case, let’s look at the no-cost options for a leaner, greener business right now:
In the electrifying world of energy saving, the 'off switch' is your best friend. Before you leave the office, channel your inner power ranger and turn off everything that buzzes, whirs, and blinks. Yes, this includes that lonely printer in the corner that’s been spitting out 'low toner' warnings since time immemorial. It’s a simple mantra: no glow, more green.
Let’s talk paper, the office’s clingy ex. It’s time to move on. Digital documents are not only eco-friendly, they’re also lost-less-often friendly. By sending emails, using cloud storage, and employing digital signatures, you can reduce your carbon footprint and your stationery cupboard needs in one fell swoop. Who knew saving the planet could also save you from the chaos of a paper jam?
Okay, maybe not bicycle for business operations, unless you’re running a mobile pet grooming service. Upcycling old furniture or tech can give your office a chic, rustic look without costing the Earth—literally. Meanwhile, implementing a recycling scheme can help you manage waste like a green guru. And why not encourage cycling to work? It keeps your team fit, and cars off the road. Plus, you can all laugh together about helmet hair—it’s a team-building exercise!
Got waste oil? Don’t just let it sit there like an unloved gym membership. Many services will collect your waste oil at no charge and then transform it into biodiesel, which is like regular diesel but with a green cape and superhero soundtrack. It’s a win-win: your business becomes a bit greener, and you don’t spend a dime!
Supporting local suppliers isn’t just good for your green credentials—it boosts the local economy and reduces transportation emissions. Plus, it gives you a fantastic excuse to visit farmers' markets, and who doesn’t love sampling twelve types of cheese under the guise of “business research”? Local sourcing: it’s tasty, it’s community-friendly, it’s eco-smart.
Harness the power of Mother Nature to reduce energy usage. Encourage natural light by arranging workspaces near windows (bonus: great views combat the 3pm slump). When it’s warm, open those windows instead of cranking the A/C. Fresh air can invigorate your team, and who doesn’t perform better when they’re not melting or freezing?
Implement a carpool scheme, or for the truly adventurous, introduce a unicycle option (okay, maybe stick with bikes and buses). Offer incentives for employees who leave their cars at home; extra points for walking, biking, or pogo-sticking their way to the office. It’s healthy, it’s eco-friendly, and it’s cheaper than a fleet of company cars.
Create a "Green Hour" initiative, where once a week, employees dedicate an hour to eco-friendly activities. This could involve anything from conducting energy audits to identify power-saving opportunities, organising workshops to make DIY upcycled office supplies, or even team outings to clean up local parks or riverbanks. Not only does this foster a sense of community and environmental responsibility, but it also encourages employees to think creatively about sustainability. It's a fantastic way to break up the workday, boost morale, and make a tangible impact on the environment, all while cultivating a culture of mindfulness and eco-awareness within your business.
Oh, and of course it’s always easier to green up your business when you take the time to get everyone involved. Sustainability should be a team effort, so educate your staff about why these changes matter, and when they know how important they are, they will be fully on board with your plans to get greener and greener, which will make the task a whole lot easier for you on the whole. Host workshops, have brainstorming sessions, and celebrate successes. When everyone’s in on the act, being green goes from ‘meh’ to ‘yeah!’
As you can now see, greening your business doesn’t have to mean spending that green. With a little creativity and a lot of enthusiasm, you can make significant eco-friendly changes, free of charge, and not only will this be good for the planet, but it will be a real boost for your business reputation too.
