Just like individuals, businesses also have the responsibility to protect mother nature by reducing the effects on the environment. However, many of these organizations have failed to minimize their carbon or environmental footprint. Primarily, a carbon footprint refers to the measure of impact on the planet based on the emitted carbon dioxide as a result of your business activities.
While this whole carbon footprint thing may seem unimportant to businesses, it can actually help save them money in the long run. Also, by adopting environmental practices, companies can attract more environmentally-friendly consumers, reduce health and safety risks, and make them socially responsible organizations.
Regardless of the size and type of businesses people have, below are five ways they can reduce their environmental impact:
1. Eliminate Unnecessary Energy Consumption
Most businesses consume a large amount of energy for their daily operations. However, this massive energy consumption can impact their eco-footprints, causing more harm to the environment.
Hence, for most businesses, the following are some methods to reduce energy waste:
- Adding energy-efficient lightings and electronics throughout the work premises;
- Turning off all the appliances and lights when not in use and at night;
- Investing in light sensors to make sure lights will automatically turn off when the place is empty;
- Using alternative energy resources to power the building, one of which is solar panels, wherein many people are making a switch to this solution.
2. Perform An Energy Consumption Audit
As mentioned, too much energy usage can adversely affect businesses’ environmental footprints. Because of this, it can be a good idea for them to hire a third-party company to perform an energy consumption audit. With an audit in place, they can have a clear insight into their current energy consumption, allowing them to create a plan to save future usage.
Along with an energy consumption audit, companies can also take advantage of a sustainability consulting service to help not only save energy usage but to make their organizations more sustainable. Remember, businesses recognized as eco-friendly have an edge over the competition because they can attract more innovative and environmentally-conscious individuals, whether they’re clients or employees.
3. Use Reusable Materials
Businesses should understand that their environmental footprint isn’t just about energy consumption. It also goes beyond the materials being used in the company premises. For example, they can invest in used furniture and other equipment to lessen their businesses’ impact on the environment.
When it comes to the employees, business owners can encourage them to bring and use reusable items, including reusable water bottles, cutlers, and even coffee mugs. That way, they can slowly steer away from the disposables, preventing piles of trash from ending up in the landfills.
4. Adopt A Good Recycling Program
Generally, recycling has been a popular method of reducing wastes and avoiding products from being thrown out to landfills. Not only that but it gives old materials a new purpose in the world. That being said, businesses should consider adopting a good recycling program for their organizations.
To start, allow an environmentally passionate individual to lead the program. By working with them, business owners can educate their employees about the impact of their contribution to the environment’s well-being as well as encourage them to continue recycling.
Also, to effectively adopt a good recycling program, the following strategies should be kept in mind from the get-go:
- Maintain a recycling strategy for office supplies and electronics. Since electronics largely contribute to the wastes around the world, businesses can recycle them by using proper recycling channels or donate them so they can be refurbished.
- To prevent employees from throwing everything into the trash bins, make sure several recycle bins are accessible in common areas. Also, provide detailed information on the things that should be and shouldn’t be recycled.
5. Minimize Business Travel
Typically, employees traveling from and to work can contribute to a substantial amount of air pollution. When this happens, it can adversely impact the organization’s carbon footprint and cause harm to the environment in the long run. Hence, for businesses wanting to become eco-friendly and sustainable, they should encourage their employees to travel less by organizing carpools or utilizing public transportation.
Moreover, they can also reduce business travel by adopting a work-from-home setup with the use of low-emission communications, including emails and web conferencing.
Bottom Line
Indeed, doing good for the environment can be beneficial to a business’s bottom line. It can help companies stand out from the competition and set a good example for the employees. Due to these benefits, businesses should keep these ways in mind to jumpstart their transition toward lessening their environmental footprint. By doing this, they can help protect the planet and make this world a better place to live in for both businesses and individuals.