Building A Green Strategy for Your Business: Tips To Help You Get Started
Global warming is causing serious environmental issues all around the globe. Some of the most noticeable changes in the past 10 years include rising sea levels and an increase in average temperatures worldwide. On top of this, landfills are filled to the brim, air pollution is rising, and our oceans are becoming saturated with plastic waste. The future of the environment looks bleak, but it’s not too late to save our planet.
Businesses should be environmentally responsible and take steps to make their operations more sustainable. Even minor changes can have an impact and help to protect the planet for future generations. Not only will going green help the environment, but it can also improve your brand reputation and save you money. This, in turn, will help you drive growth and increase your bottom line. Implementing a green strategy for your business doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Assess your environmental impact
Your first task should be to assess the environmental impact of your current business operations. For instance, calculate how much commercial waste your business produces each month and check how much waste is being recycled. Taking the time to assess your environmental impact will help you identify weaknesses and find opportunities to make your workplace more sustainable. You can take part in a free green energy survey to get advice on how to make your business more eco-friendly and save money on your energy bills. Take advantage of free business energy advice and implement the recommended changes to low carbon emissions and slash your overhead costs.
Create a workplace recycling programme
Most UK businesses produce large volumes of commercial and industrial waste – over 41 million tonnes a year to be exact! Shockingly, a recent survey discovered that 90% of companies don’t have a recycling policy in place. Failing to recycle means that waste ends up in landfills where it slowly decomposes and releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The environment cannot withstand the current levels of pollution, so companies must dispose of their waste sustainably. Recycling your commercial waste will lower your environmental impact and could also save you money. Make sure that you have recycling stations set up in convenient locations around your workplace. Removing individual bins is a great way to encourage your employees to use recycling stations rather than just sticking waste in their under-desk bins.
Investing in a recycling machine can be another fantastic way to improve your workplace recycling. For example, a cardboard shredder can transform old cardboard into cost-effective sustainable packaging. Using a cardboard shredder in the workplace will also boost productivity by eliminating the need for employees to flatten cardboard boxes by hand. There is a wide selection of innovative recycling machines that can make workplace recycling more efficient and cost-effective. This includes industrial shredders, balers, and plastic recycling machines.
Switch to green renewable energy
Fossil fuels release large quantities of greenhouse gases into the environment and contribute to global warming. Fortunately, renewable energy offers a green alternative to traditional fossil fuels. An increasing number of businesses are making the move to a renewable energy supply, and for good reason! Switching to renewable energy is one of the best ways to lower your company’s carbon footprint and reduce environmental pollution. Moving to green energy like solar power can also have a significant impact on your business energy bills. According to MoneySuperMarket.com, the average cost of producing commercial solar PV energy is 5p per kWh, whereas most businesses pay between 11p and 15p for the same amount of grid-supplied electricity. On top of the immediate energy savings, businesses can start to make a turn on their investment once the initial installation fees have been repaid, which is typically between 8 and 12 years.
Get staff on board with your green policies
Finally, you must not overlook the importance that your employees will play in your green strategy. Keep in mind that your eco-friendly efforts are unlikely to be successful if you fail to get your staff on board with your policies. Make your employees aware of your green strategies and teach them the importance of being sustainable in the workplace. You can encourage your staff to reduce their environmental impact by offering green incentives, i.e., a free shopping voucher for the member of staff who recycling the most. You can also help to reduce transport emissions by encouraging car-sharing, launching a cycle to work incentive, or allowing work from home days. Get in touch with the team at EPC London today for more advice on how your team can become more strategically eco.
