Every business today is prioritizing the planet for various reasons. You need to consider its environmental impact no matter your business’s size.
Several natural processes are taking place in different corners of the world. Let us take the example of glaciers melting in various parts of the world. The excess water may not directly impact you; indirectly, it will affect you. Flooding is one of the repercussions of such activities that has far-reaching effects than you thought of.
Faced with various environmental crises, most consumers are choosing green. You can see the trend taking shape from packaging to manufacturing. Green practice is everywhere. So if you want to take leverage of the same, you need to adopt the same for your business. If it is good for the planet, you should incorporate it into your business. Read about some simple ways to make your business environment friendly.
Use Environment-friendly Products
Most green companies procure environment-friendly office supplies to pave the way for a more significant cause. It can be anything from printer paper, and cleaning supplies, to employee consumables like paper cups. Moreover, you can also include stores such as toilet rolls and trash bags labeled recycled.
You will find a whole range of cottage industry cleaning agents today in the market as well. These do not include toxic chemicals but natural substances like neem oil and eucalyptus oil. These are a few examples of the supplies you can procure for your office administration to support the planet.
Compost Pantry Waste
Another way to divert waste from the kitchen and put it to good use is to compost. Most companies have separate bins on their premises to facilitate composting. The workplace is the best place to initiate this. There will be many lunch leftovers like peels and eggshells that can go into the compost bins. These are the best nutrients for the plants in the office complex.
You can organize planting events in the nearby areas and use the compost productively there. You can affect soil erosion management through such measures. When the topsoil layer with all minerals gets washed off, it loses essential minerals for the plants. These drives will count amongst the green initiatives for the times to come. You may also resort to professional help for the same.
Eliminate Plastic Bottles
Almost three million plastic waste was generated in the United States in the last decade. It is essential to eliminate these, as they make up a considerable portion of the landfills. You will be bewildered to know that such waste takes thousands of years to degrade. You should install water filters instead.
Installing a water filter is not a huge expense and will be a long-term initiative that you can help your employees enjoy. They are saved from the hassles of carrying heavy one-liter bottles every day to work. The water is safe to drink and will minimize medical reimbursement for your company individuals. You can also ask them to use glass bottles or copper ones. However, the first idea seems more apt.
Provide Company Transport
You should discourage your employees from using their own transport to work. Instead, you can arrange for carpools or coaches. When 50 odd employees board one single vehicle, it eliminates the need for 49 more. Thus, apart from saving on non-renewable fossil fuels, you will be keeping the environment free from toxic fumes. This is the greenest way to commute to and from work. Fewer cars on the roads mean fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Get your HR team to work on such initiatives and reward the employees who follow these norms diligently. Reduce your carbon footprint today.
Offer Work-From-Home Options
You can offer your employees work-from-home opportunities so that they again save on the commute and fuel expense part. Additionally, you will be saving energy at your company premises regarding light bulbs and air conditioners, or HVAC. You should offer remote work as and when possible and reduce your energy bills. It is profitable for you and the employee. Besides, it is an excellent HR initiative. Employees get to maintain a work-life balance through such remote work schedules.
Buy Second-hand Furniture
You can incorporate this into the company culture easily. Buy used furniture like cupboards and cabinets. Work cubicles also fit the bill. Offices that have shut down due to uncertainties in the past sell off their furniture at low rates. Get and remodel them and install them on your office premises. Firstly, you will be saving money on the purchase. Secondly, you will be reducing landfills, where old furniture is discarded.
Use Sustainable Packaging
If you are involved in a business wherein you deliver packaged goods to customers, then you should incorporate recyclable paper for packaging. Various compost packaging options eventually go back to the earth.
Cardboard boxes and mold-able pulp packing is on-trend today, as they can go back to the manufacturing stage after use through a series of processes. You can even use reusable packaging like glass and pallets. Bio-plastics and plant-based packaging rule the scene today.
These are a few ways to make your business green. Incorporate these soon to maximize benefits for your business, your consumers, and the environment.