Running a Greener Business

Every person should be aware of the environment and that includes the owners of businesses. By becoming a little greener and encouraging your employees to think green you will be doing more for the future of the world and may gain the respect of your customers at the same time.

Electricity Usage

Most people are used to turning off the light before they go to bed, but how many people remember to turn off their business computers and leave them in standby night and day? How about light bulbs within the work place have they been replaces with low energy versions? Small changes like these will not only pay dividends when the next business electricity bill arrives but will make a slight difference to the planet. Talking of electricity usage have you checked to see if you are with the best supplier? There are even electricity companies that supply green tariffs and are supported by Green peace and Friends of the Earth.

Testing Your Equipment

Having your electrical equipment PAT tested and serviced regularly will not only give it a longer life but will also work more efficiently without wasting electricity. When replacing electrical items, either from your business or for customers, remember they have to be disposed of with consideration. Your local council’s waste disposal service can advise about the disposal of televisions and refrigerators and if you take these items to the refuse tip yourself you will find that there are different receptacles for these items.

Company Vehicles

Have you looked at possibly using electric vehicles when on outside calls? The downside is that these types of vehicles do need their batteries recharging but can reap the benefits of zero emissions. With vans as well as cars available from many motor companies this form of transport is now a serious consideration for businesses that are aware of their environment. With zero road tax, lower tax bills and other economic savings the electric car is a big contender for business vehicles of the future.

If you decide to stay with a standard diesel or petrol vehicle there are still savings to be made. Opting for cars with smaller engine capacities and lower CO emissions also attract lower road tax charges and a better saving on fuel.

Recycling Within Your Business

Promote a general day to day recycling policy in your business both in the shop and workplace as well as the kitchen and staff area. Have a paper recycling box and ensure that all documents with personal information are shredded before being disposed of. Cans and bottles used by staff during their leisure breaks can also be put aside for recycling and perhaps have one member of staff that is in charge of these duties – even disposing of the items once each week at the local dump or recycling bank. You may have stock delivered in cardboard boxes so before sending the boxes for recycling see if they can be reused at least once for storing stock before being destroyed.

Printer cartridges can be recycled by suppliers who will send you an address label for the return of the used cartridges. Also old mobile phones will be taken by charities for recycling.

Cleaning Equipment

When it comes to cleaning your place of business look to using greener cleaning products, every supermarket and cash and carry has at least line of these types of products. If you use rubbish sacks and supply carrier bags invest in biodegradable types that will not stay forever in a landfill site.

With a little though turning your workplace into a greener environment can be done with ease.