How to Run a More Eco-Friendly Business

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Nowadays, more and more companies are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and help the environment. It is an encouraging sign, as IPCC scientists say it is the last moment to stop climate change. However, running a more eco-friendly business is about something more than just replacing old light bulbs and updating the insulation in the office.

To make a significant change, entrepreneurs should undergo a business energy audit and drastically transform their energy policies. This way, they can determine the best ways to help the environment without harming their income. Reducing single-use items, sourcing sustainable materials, and offering remote work for employees can make the company more environmentally friendly.

Here is a brief guide on the most impactful steps organizations can take to incorporate eco-friendly business practices into their everyday operations.

Conduct a Business Energy Audit

The first step toward reducing the company’s carbon footprint is to conduct a business energy audit. It will help you understand where your business stands in terms of energy efficiency and find the most significant room for improvement.

Once you know what needs to be done, you can create a document listing all the changes you want to apply. If you run an international company, you can use scientific translation services to ensure all your company’s facilities are well informed on what they have to do.

As the name suggests, a business energy audit is an overview of your company’s energy use, including both the environmental and financial impact. If you are just starting out, it can be done with a simple questionnaire.

The questions you may want to ask yourself include:

• What is the total amount of electricity used by your organization each year?
• How much of that electricity was generated using renewable energy sources?
• What would be the cost to replace old lighting systems, windows, heating and cooling systems, or other equipment?
• How much does your organization spend on energy per month?

Once you have all these numbers in front of you, it will be easier to implement specific changes in your business practices. The audit will also help you save money by identifying potential cost-saving opportunities, such as switching to more efficient lighting or appliances. Moreover, it will give you a better understanding of your business’s energy consumption patterns, which can be helpful when developing strategies to reduce overall usage.

Transform Your Energy Policy

After conducting an energy audit and determining the most significant areas of improvement, it is time to implement changes. One of the most impactful things businesses can do to reduce their carbon footprint is to switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power. However, this is only possible if the company can afford the investment to begin with.

Since renewable energy is significantly more expensive than conventional energy, it might not make sense for small businesses or startups. On the other hand, larger companies with a high turnover and a steady cash flow can use renewables as an actual investment.

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Suppose your company is not ready to make such a drastic change. In that case, you can start by implementing more energy-efficient policies, such as using LED lighting or setting thermostats to a lower temperature in the winter. These small changes can add up to significant reductions in your business’s energy consumption over time.

The key to successful sustainable consumption is finding the balance between environment and profitability. In other words, you should treat your energy policy like any other project in the business–evaluate how much money and time it will take, then evaluate its feasibility.

Reduce Single-Use Items

An excellent way businesses can reduce their environmental impact is by reducing the use of single-use items, such as plastic straws, coffee stirrers, and water bottles. If your company relies heavily on these items, consider switching to reusable alternatives, such as metal straws or glass water bottles.

Not only will this help reduce the amount of waste your company generates, but it will also save you money in the long run. Similarly, you can also reduce the use of paper products by switching to digital alternatives whenever possible.

Single-use items, such as plastic straws and plastic bags, damage the environment. Almost 50 percent of all plastic products are used just once before being thrown away. These items are hazardous, as they last up to hundreds of years after being discarded. By switching to alternatives, you will do much good for our planet.

Source Sustainable Materials

When sourcing materials for your business, it is important to consider the environmental impact of the products you are using. If possible, try to source sustainable materials, such as bamboo or recycled plastic.

These materials have a lower environmental impact than traditional options and can help your business reduce its carbon footprint. Similarly, you can also source local materials to further reduce the impact of your business’s operations on the environment.

You can do so by opting for recycled paper and using eco-friendly packaging materials. Additionally, you can use packaging that can be recycled, like cardboard boxes with polypropylene or polyethylene coating. This way, you will not have to spend time and money on recycling other materials.

Offer Remote Work Opportunities

Remote work becomes a more popular option by the year. According to the survey about workplaces’ stance on remote work in 2020, 30 percent of respondents work in fully remote companies. It is a good sign, as remote work can be beneficial for the environment.

In fact, offering remote work opportunities for employees is one of the best ways businesses can reduce their environmental impact. This way, they can eliminate the need to commute, significantly reducing the carbon footprint.

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By allowing your staff to work from home, you can help your employees save on gas, lower their stress levels, and even improve their productivity. And if your business is not ready to offer remote work for all employees, you can start by offering it for employees who live further away or have longer commutes.

Conclusion

Running an eco-friendly business is one of the most important topics for entrepreneurs and global business leaders. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your company more environmentally friendly. As you can see from the above examples, it is possible to reduce single-use items, source sustainable materials, or encourage eco-friendly commuting practices through remote work opportunities.

Nevertheless, if you want to be certified as a green business, you will have to undergo a comprehensive audit and implement several changes. If you are not sure about your company’s environmental policies and want to become a greener company, contact an experienced sustainability consultant. They will be able to help you achieve the results you are hoping for without damaging your business operations.