A sustainable lifestyle is not just a “trend” that people want to follow and observe. It’s a conscious effort to reduce one’s carbon footprint and contribute to the fight against global warming.
As more individuals are doing their best to go green, most also expect businesses to do the same. In a 2017 study on corporate social responsibility, respondents had favorable responses to businesses that care about social and environmental issues. For example, 92 percent of respondents said they’re more likely to trust such a business.
As such, businesses must implement eco-friendly practices. These will not only help them attract new customers and nurture loyal customers. Going green will also help businesses save costs in the long run. Below are some eco-friendly practices that businesses can start with:
Go Paperless
Businesses keep a lot of documents and print out new ones every day. And inevitably, some of these printed documents go to waste. In fact, around 17 percent of printed documents are considered waste. These may be composed of misprints, duplicates, and so on. Wasted documents also mean wasted money.
The solution to this problem is migrating to the cloud and going paperless. This business practice has other benefits as well. For example, employees spend less time looking for documents since they are searchable in the cloud database. Also, using the cloud adds another layer of security on a business’s documents since the cloud is encrypted and blocks unauthorized access and other malicious threats.
Use Energy-efficient Electronics
Aside from going paperless, businesses can switch to energy-efficient electronics. While this may come at a huge cost initially, long-term savings can make up for it. As their name suggests, energy-efficient electronics use less energy, which means spending less on electric bills.
One popular example of an energy-efficient electronic that won’t be too heavy on the bank are LED bulbs. Replacing office lights with ENERGY STAR-rated LED will help businesses lower their energy consumption for lights by 75 percent.
If businesses have the budget for upgrades, they can also consider acquiring other ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. For example, say one employee’s computer broke down in the middle of a shift. The company whose insurance is provided by the Drake Agency Inc. might file a claim for appliance damage and use the money to replace the computer with a modern, more efficient version.
Use Water-saving Fixtures
Around two-thirds of global water consumption is used to create products in the corporate supply chain. Water scarcity is a real threat in many nations and is already occurring in certain places.
As such, aside from electricity, businesses should also do their best to save water. They can start by using water-efficient fixtures. Businesses should consider using low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets in their restrooms and kitchens.
In addition, some people forget to turn off the tap while and after they wash their hands. To fix this error, businesses can also use sensor faucets in the restroom.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
Even when turned off, an electronic appliance still uses up energy, no matter how small, when it’s plugged. As such, business owners need to train their employees to unplug electronics when not in use. This strategy, when partnered with using energy-efficient electronics, will help businesses save on electric bills every month.
Put Plants as Decor
Plants don’t just make amazing interior decor in an office. They also help in saving money. For example, plants can help with humidity in an enclosed space. This means that a business’s heating and ventilation system doesn’t have to work as hard, reducing energy consumption.
Using plants can also help employees stay productive and work more efficiently. One study found that participants who were exposed to plants in their workspace were more productive than others. An employee who can work efficiently will finish their tasks in a shorter amount of time. And this equates to saved costs in utility and overnight pay.
Educate Employees
People who know about global warming and how it threatens society are more likely to put effort into practicing a sustainable lifestyle.
As such, businesses might consider conducting a seminar or training program on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The learning experience will help employees better understand what they can do to save the environment while at work.
Businesses need to be more eco-friendly not just to have a good image for the public but also to save money. And eco-friendly practices don’t have to be complicated and costly. Something simple will do and will make a huge difference if done consistently.
