Sustainability is an increasingly important factor for many businesses. As climate change continues to dominate the headlines, the pressure for firms to go eco-friendly is mounting.
Thankfully, going eco-friendly is much easier than you may think. The last decade saw a considerable decrease in the average costs for eco-friendly installations. Making eco-friendly changes to your business processes has been made more straightforward too.
The world needs more eco-friendly businesses, and soon those in power will expect it. Start making simple changes now to make your future brighter.
Now is the time to make some eco-friendly changes.
- Conserve Water
Businesses tend to use a lot of water in their daily operations. Conserving the amount of water your employees and business use is a quick way to help the planet and save some money.
Implement a water conservation protocol with staff, fix any leaky faucets, and look for improved methods of production or materials that use less water. Hiring a plumbing expert to do a detailed review of your water use is a great way to find a list of changes you can make to save more money.
- Improve Your Insulation
You will be amazed at how much energy you waste on heat loss. A great way to improve this heat loss is by installing new insulation for your offices. Not only will you trap more heat, making your office more comfortable, but you will also save a small fortune on your energy bills.
If insulation is not possible, you could speak to cladding contractors to install a layer of cladding on the outside on the building. This will also help to improve the energy efficiency of your building.
- Switch to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Your regular cleaning products are typically made using harsh toxic chemicals. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not only damaging to the planet ut your helath also.
VOCs are known to causes irritation to the throat, nose, skin, and eyes. Overexposure to VOCs can even lead to respiratory diseases like asthma or even lung cancer.
There are now several eco-friendly cleaning brands to choose from at most supermarkets. These cleaners use natural or certified-safe chemicals that are kind to the earth and your health.
- Recycle and Reuse
Recycling is a must for any business. The number of materials your company uses will no doubt be substantial, and ensuring you dispose of the waste properly is essential.
Make sure that any waste is divided into recyclable, reusable, and waste. Paper, cardboard, ink, some metals, wood, and glass can all be recycled and repurposed. Recycling materials beneficial to the environment helping to reduce the number of raw materials being extracted from the earth.
- Avoid Plastic
You will have no doubt heard about the current plastic pollution crisis we are facing. Human-made phenomena like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch are proof of just how bad our situation is.
Plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose naturally. This puts a significant strain on our landfill, and many of these plastics end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Plastic also leaks toxic chemicals into the ground and ocean while decomposing. These chemicals harm marine life and soil erosion.
Instead of using plastic, find zero-waste alternatives, or bio-plastics. Avoid single-use plastic like coffee cups, cutlery, and food packaging. Encourage employees to use zero-waste products.
- Use Alternative Energy Sources
Solar PV is a fantastic renewable technology that allows you to move off the grid and start generating your electricity throughout the day. Initial installations costs have dropped dramatically over the last decade making solar PV viable options for businesses.
The current ROI of solar PV systems is around 7-10 years for commercial installations. That means you will have a further 15-18 years of free electricity from the sun. Solar PV systems need very little maintenance and are now easy to install without disturbing your business too much.
- Work With Sustainable Partners
When going green, you don’t have to rely on yourself. You can dramatically improve your energy efficiency by working with other companies that are working towards suitability also.
Find partners that have sustainability programs or initiatives. Look at a business that is actively trying to reduce their impact and form relationships with them. Their improved efficiency is your improved efficiency and vice versa.
If your business uses raw materials, look for suppliers that utilize sustainable materials. Organic cotton, recycled steel, bamboo, hemp, and recycled plastics can all help to reduce the impact of your business.
