Considering The Environment In Your Small Business Sustainability Practices

In today's difficult economic situation, it can be especially tough for a small business, just getting on it's feet, to implement the plans that we have for running a green and sustainable company. It is not necessary to invest thousands of dollars in the beginning, there are a number of sustainability best practices that you can start, today, that will get you on the path toward realizing your vision for a business that is responsible to the environment and utilizes "green" small business practices.

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Be Paper Wise

Be aware of just how much paper you are using in your office each day. Ask yourself if it really necessary to print of that report or email.  By using an iPad connected to your network, your employees can bring their email with them to your meetings.  If you must print, the "fast draft" or "black and white" settings should be considered first.

• Unplug And Hibernate

By using power strips with surge protection, the benefits are twofold. Not only will you be protecting your valuable electronics from power surges but you will be able to more easily control which appliances should be powered completely off at the end of the day and which should stay plugged in.  For the latter, utilize the  "hibernate" or "sleep mode" when available.

• Have Potluck For Lunch

This can be especially effective if you encourage your employees to make it a meat-free potluck.  They can experiment with recipes or bring favorites from home.  This one little thing can mean a 28.5% reduction in each person's carbon footprint if they can make the entire day meat-free.  Remember "Meatless Mondays"?  

• Encourage Carpooling and Recycling

To encourage carpooling it can be as simple as making people aware of an online service that they can take advantage of, and a visit to the storage container store will outfit you with an attractive set of recycling bins.  Take advantage of any cash rebates, like for aluminum, and hire a waste company that recycles too.  You might need to make that suggestion to your building management team.

• Assign A Dishwasher

Encourage your employees to participate in your efforts by volunteering for dish washing duty.  This way you can ban all plastic and styrofoam from your lunch room and stock it with real glass and ceramic dish wear from a restaurant supply store (or solicit donations).  Hand washing would be preferable to a dishwasher, or is it?  Every little bit helps, especially when it comes to keeping things out of the landfill.

These are just a few things that are relatively inexpensive and painless as well as easy to implement.  If you know of other ways, maybe more creative ways, to lessen our carbon foot print, we would love to hear about it.  Contact us and let's work together toward a greener future.