Ways Your Small Business Can Go Green

Success doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can go green without breaking the bank. In fact, sometimes it can even save you money! Here are some simple, economical tips so your small business can be more sustainable.

Be Energy-Efficient

Energy pollution creates the highest amount of air pollution in the world. Fossil fuels account for roughly 77.6% of the United States’ primary energy production, but they’re also the biggest pollutants. 

Cutting down on energy can be done in little ways. Turning off the lights, keeping the thermostat down, and not blasting the AC in the office are all things you and your employees can do. This is also vital to helping you save money on your utility bills. Energy costs for heating and cooling have risen in Massachusetts, and your bills will show it. So chipping away at how much light and heat you use will be good for both the environment and your company budget.

Remote Working

Speaking of air pollution, another way to reduce that is by offering your employees the option to work remotely. Due to the global pandemic, a lot of people were forced to start working from home. However, while the circumstances were far from ideal, there was a positive impact on the environment as a result. Fewer people were driving to and from work, which greatly cut down on carbon emissions.

If you need proof, just look at Los Angeles. This city was notorious for having polluted air, but when the pandemic hit in 2020 and people began working at home, there was noticeable air quality improvement. True, you might not be able to let everyone work at home all the time, but even the occasional day in the home office can contribute to making a difference at no cost to you.

Use Green Office Supplies

Office supplies are a major part of any business budget, but there are ways to save money on them and go green. Instead of disposable paper cups and plates, have reusable ones. This will save you money on having to constantly resupply them, too. Instead of paper documents, keep things stored digitally. Switch out traditional light bulbs for longer-lasting and energy-efficient LEDs. Basically, the fewer office supplies you need to consume, the better for the world and your overhead costs.

Green Search Engines

How many times a day, you or your employees need to look something up online. Everyone knows the major search engines like Google and Yahoo, but did you know that there’s a green search engine? Ecosia.org is a search engine that is fighting back against deforestation and has already planted over 170 million trees. For every 45 searches, they plant a tree where they are needed most around the world. It’s free to sign up, so you’ll be going green at no cost.

When your small business goes green, you save both the environment and money. It’s a great way to help your business grow.

Categorised in: Going Green