With the state of the modern business arena, it’s more important than ever to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Pushing your business to go green is a great way of doing this, but even if you can’t establish yourself as an environmental pioneer, being more eco-friendly can do a lot to help you save money. Here are some of the great ways you can save money while saving the planet…
Switch to Biodegradable Cleaners
By switching to natural, biodegradable cleaners, you’ll reduce your staff’s exposure to harsh toxins and harmful chemicals, as well as cutting down the introduction of these chemicals to the environment. The next time your company runs out of conventional cleaning products, make a bulk order of greener alternatives. It can be hard to find a supplier who’s cheaper than the companies you’re buying from already, but certainly not impossible.
Switch to Compact Florescent Lights or LEDs
If you’re expanding or renovating your office, be sure to source some LEDs or CFLs for the lighting. True, when you stack the initial purchase price against more conventional incandescent bulbs, these alternatives are generally more expensive. However, they last much longer, and use far less energy. For example, Ledison’s retrofit replacement for the traditional 2D saves up to 70% energy compared to the more commonplace alternatives. If you have the capital to invest in greener lighting, you can save a small fortune in a relatively short space of time.
Replace Outdated Appliances
Another big thing to consider is any appliances you’re looking to source for a new office space. Energy Star appliances come with labels which allow you to assess both the energy and monetary requirements of using a certain machine over time. The next time you’re acquiring appliances for your business, tell whoever’s in charge of their procurement to keep an eye out for yellow tags. As with your lighting, you’ll need to pay more up-front, but will ultimately benefit from the long-term eco-friendly savings.
Run Your Office on Alternative Energy
In many parts of the country, you can contact your current utility provider and sign up to purchase green power. As you’re probably aware, this energy is generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, as well as geothermal and hydropower. For many offices, this can be a significantly more economical alternative to conventional power grids.
Think Outside the Box When Recycling
Aside from recycling all the waste that can typically be recycled, you should also be adopting a green mindset when you’re buying anything new for the business. For example, instead of buying brand new pieces of furniture for the office, look for pieces made from recycled materials, or even used and vintage furniture if you’re still in the start-up phase. Your office may feel a little more thrown-together than what you were hoping for, but your company will represent less of a strain on natural resources, and you’ll save a lot of money too.
If you were wondering how to make your business go green, give these things a try.
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