Paying attention to sustainable development is not just important to the pocket, but it can be especially sensible when so many potential customers and clients are actively seeking greener products and services.
Making environmentally conscious decisions about your business operations can be good for the bottom line. There is a misconception that in order to make a company greener it requires a cash injection, when in actual fact a lot of the changes are small, have very low overheads but make a difference and lower outgoings - actually saving you money.
As predictions about the availability of energy, water and other natural resources are validated, going green may also enable companies to keep customers and investors happy, maintain market share, become more efficient, it may also help avoid liability for environmental damage. For small businesses to be actively involved in sustainable development, they need to adopt environmentally sound business principles and translate these into action.
High oil prices and global warming are driving the move towards going green, the knowledge that our natural resources won’t last forever is increasing the number of customers and shareholders that are demanding a move toward the corporate social responsibility of a companies actions.
As far as an organisation is concerned adopting environmental practices is all about money. Taking on board environmental practices could help save money and gain new business, however some ‘green moves’ can be very pricey, but the deciding factor is often that going green helps companies enhance their public relations, how the public perceive an organisation can have a strong impact on company profit.
There are certain things as an organisation that you can do to make your company greener:
Perform an energy audit: Some utilities offer businesses free on-site consultations on how they can reduce usage and save money. Most common suggestions can include: Insulation upgrades, timers to automatically turn off lights, and energy efficient light bulbs.
Go paperless: Encourage e-mailing. When paper is necessary, print on both sides and use old letterheads/non sensitive documents as scrap paper.
Recycle: Recycle glass, paper, plastic, metal and manufacturing waste, and reuse packaging for postage.
Include Green issues in the Staff Satisfaction survey: Dedicate a section to Green issues within the annual employee survey.
Reduce commuting: Encourage carpooling, offer passes to employees who take the bus or train, add bike racks for cyclists.
Reduce business travel: Teleconference instead of travelling. For must-go trips, keep track of the miles driven and flown and buy "carbon offsets" to make up for the greenhouse gas emissions.
Detoxify: Talk to suppliers about alternatives to toxics, such as used batteries and copier toner, and make sure you properly dispose of the ones you can't avoid using.
Rethink transportation: Consider the fuel it takes to ship and receive products. Purchase or lease energy-efficient cars and trucks for business use.
Provide leadership and resources for going green: - Assign a respected person to head up Green initiatives. Include “green" in your company's mission statement and business plans.
Get employees involved: Create a team to lead the company's eco-efforts and determine where you can have the biggest impact for the least amount of money.
Communicate Green issues: Inform suppliers and customers about your efforts. And get in touch with local regulatory agencies, many offer financial incentives to businesses that implement green initiatives.
Save water: Monitor sinks and toilets for leaks that waste water.
Explore alternative energy sources: Consider using solar energy, bio-fuels, wind power and other alternative energy sources.
Implement green manufacturing: Use energy-efficient equipment, and streamline processes.
Implement green policies: Establish policies and standards.
Becoming a Green company doesn’t need to cost the earth, but it just might save it.
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