Going Green
It used to be that people and businesses “went green” because it was fashionable. Now it is a must, with many businesses coming firmly under the microscope concerning their environmental credentials. Larger businesses, in particular, have been locked in a game of tit-for-tat for many years trying to have the best social and environmental policies. What are the top ten things a business of any size can put into practice, to make themselves more sustainable today?
- Be energy efficient in the office. While you are probably already doing things like turning off the lights, have you started using energy efficient products? Not just the light bulbs, either! Switch to energy efficient office appliances or buy special plug adaptors that limit the energy appliances use.
- Go green with your cleaning products, too. Use eco-friendly soap and detergents around your office. Speak to any contracted external cleaners, too, and ensure they are using green products wherever possible.
- Print as few e-mails as possible. If you need to pass the message on, could you forward it instead? Look to proof read and check as much as you can on screen rather than printing everything out. A paperless office really is achievable!
- If you do use paper, make sure you recycle it. Print on both sides, and when done ensure it is kept with old newspapers and magazines to be recycled properly.
- Employees can be just as productive when they work from home – doing this will save energy both in the office as well as in the carbon emissions created from their journey into work.
- Recycle other office waste, such as computers. Even old chairs and desks can be arranged to be collected and taken away to be re-used in some form.
- What do you sell? If your core business is not in green products, try and find an innovative way of offering something with an environmentally friendly twist.
- Look at buying biodegradable and sustainable office supplies. Office items such as a staple-free stapler are quirky and will make a huge difference to the impact your business has on the environment.
- Live the green way – whether it is buying food for consumption in the office, moving to a new premises or even buying company vehicles, there is a green option available for almost every business activity you can think of.
- Educate the masses. Put this list in your staff room so your team can see that you are serious about being a sustainable business, and encourage them to add their own ideas to truly develop your eco-friendly attitudes.
This article is a guest post from Harworth Estates. Harworth Estates are one of the largest landowners in the UK. They provide residential and commercial properties, industrial units, offices and development land for sale.
