5 Steps Your Business Should Take To Become More Eco-Friendly
- Written by NewsServices.com
Most people are now worrying about the effects of climate change and are actively looking for ways to help prevent further damage. Businesses are even becoming concerned with their impact and are trying to reduce their own carbon footprint. From changing their printed takeaway bags to allowing people to work remotely, lots of changes are being implemented at a rapid rate. So, if you’re wanting to make your business more eco-friendly, keep reading and discover the 5 easiest ways to do so!
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Ditch Single Use Plastic
Single use plastic is the bane of the planet, and it’s piling up in landfills across the globe. Although it’s impossible to get rid of it all in the workplace, you should make changes wherever possible. For instance, replace the cups at the water cooler with paper ones instead, as these can be recycled easier and are also probably biodegradable. Try to eliminate single plastic from as many aspects of your business as you can, and you’ll be well on your way to being a greener company.
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Promote Reusable Packaging
Company packaging is crucial, and you always want to make sure you’ve got the best branded one possible. However, it’s just as important to ensure that you’ve got packaging that does the job well and isn’t going to pollute the planet. Promoting reusable packaging is also great for the Earth, as it stops things being recycled so often which takes a lot of energy. For example, if your serve takeaway coffee, try encouraging your customers to use reusable cups instead. You could even offer them rewards for doing so. Coffee cups are one of the biggest polluters in the world, so trying to banish them from your waste disposal is vital. Again, it’s all about making sure things aren’t single use and can be used time and time again. Even giving your customers their shopping in a kraft paper bag can make the world of a difference.
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Reduce Energy Waste
Energy consumption plays a big role in determining whether or not your business is eco-friendly, so it’s a good idea to pay close attention to it. Not only will it save you money, but it also means less fossil fuels need to be burned due to an increased demand. Make sure you turn off all the lights and electronics that you can when closing for the day. Only leave necessary things on like fridges and freezers but do your best to switch everything else off. You also want to check your space for draughts too, as these cause a huge waste in energy. Try treating your business as if it were your own home. You wouldn’t go to bed with the TV on all night would you? So, don’t do the same with your business and make sure you turn things off.
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Change Suppliers
If you import a lot of your supplies, why not make a change to something a bit more local. Not only will you be supporting your own community, but you’re also cutting down on CO2 emissions due to the decreased travel time. Changing suppliers can be beneficial to your business and the planet, so it’s definitely something to consider. Spend some time searching local directories and speaking to other businesses in the area, and you’ll soon be able to find a supplier a bit closer to home that makes your business that bit more green.
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Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Cleaning is necessary for all business premises, but what you use could be having a direct effect on the environment. Most cleaners are full of harsh chemicals which are toxic for the ecosystems that they seep into. Instead of using these sorts of cleaning products, try making a switch over to more natural ones that use things like white vinegar and lemon juice. These natural alternatives have been said to kill just as many pathogens and germs as harsher cleaners, but without causing harm to the Earth. These are normally a lot cheaper too, so you’ll be able to save a bit of money as well as help the planet.
Being eco-friendly isn’t all the hard. You do have to actively work at it though, and some changes can be hard to get used to. But all in all, moving towards a greener approach when running your business will help keep our home healthy. So, if you’re wanting to do your bit and change up your current operations, be sure to implement some of the ones on this list. They’re simple enough that they won’t cause detriment to the running of your business, but impactful enough that they can better the planet.
