6 Ways your Small Business can Reduce its Carbon Footprint

If you run a small business, then reducing its carbon footprint will not only help the environment but could also help you save money. Due to the number of customers switching to business who are more eco-friendly and have greener work ethics, it may also attract additional custom. Here are 6 ways your small business can reduce its carbon footprint.

Switch off policy

Regardless of its size, implementing a switch-off policy within your organization is an easy way to help the planet. Printers, laptops, and copiers don’t need to be left on at the close of business each evening, so get into the habit of switching everything off. If you have employees, make sure they implement this too. Before long, it will become second nature and could reduce energy usage by upwards of 25%.

Go paperless

Paperless offices are very much the norm these days, and when you see the statistics it’s easy to see why. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that the environmental impact of producing 10 million sheets of paper is estimated at:

• 2500 trees
• 56,000 gallons of oil
• 450 cubic yards of landfill space
• 595,000 kilowatts of energy

There are many organizational benefits to going paperless too such as cost, filing system efficiency and accessibility, and faster workflow. If you haven’t already gone paperless, it might be time to start.

Solar Power

If you don’t already have solar panels installed on your business premises or home office, it’s worthwhile looking into. According to Harvest Power, a solar power installer in NY, their customers alone have saved over 1,000,000 tons of coal since 2008. Solar energy is not only a far more eco-friendly option but could save your business thousands over its lifetime.

Encourage cycling to work

Reducing the amount of time we spend driving can do wonders for the planet. If you currently drive to work and cycling is an alternative, consider making the switch and encourage your employees to do the same. Not only will you get fitter but will be reducing the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. If you do need to drive, switch to an electric or hybrid car where possible. 

Recycle 

If you don’t already have a strict recycling policy, implement one. All businesses generate some form of waste, and it must be disposed of correctly. Provide multiple bins for different waste types and make sure they are clearly labeled. Recycling is one of the most basic tasks that a company can carry out, so there is no excuse not to.

Go greener in the kitchen

If your office kitchen is awash with paper plates, plastic cutlery and polystyrene cups, switch to standard crockery and cutlery. If you don’t already have a microwave, they heat food far more quickly than a conventional oven and will save energy. Most electrical items of this nature should have a star rating to let you know how energy efficient they are. Small changes can make a big difference.