Go Green
March 5th, 2010

We often discuss the many ways in which businesses can gain greater success through a variety of key business practices. There are a lot of things that business owners can do, however, that not only benefit themselves but the entire environment around them. Literally.

Do you consider your business to be eco-friendly? We're happy to say that we have a number of clients who have made great use of some of our products made from recycled material who imprint the phrase “Always Thinking About The Environment” on them.

But both our clients and our own office, alike, can partake in other actions to assist the environment at large. Susan Ward of About.com offers up a number of different ways in which you can make your business more environmentally friendly. These relatively easy and inexpensive tips can help you do the world a huge favour. You, in turn, will benefit as well.

Firstly, Ward suggests that you should turn off all equipment when it's not being used. How often to we leave our computers on overnight for the simple sake of not having to turn them back on in the morning? Says Ward, shutting down equipment can “reduce the energy used by 25 percent; turning off the computers at the end of the day can save an additional 50 percent.”

Of course, this will save you on your electricity bill as well. Secondly, Ward encourages you to communicate through e-mail as often as possible. No paper means no waste. Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not print these e-mails. A lot of materials will be saved as a result.

She continues by advising businesses to reduce fax-related paper waste “by using a fax-modem and by using a fax cover sheet only when necessary. Fax-modems allow documents to be sent directly from a computer, without requiring a printed hard copy.” Also, if printing documents is absolutely necessary, save paper by always double-siding your printouts.

Outside of equipment and material usage, it is important to have proper upkeep of the office facilities. The restroom is a place where saving the environment can be made easy. “Do not leave taps dripping,” offers Ward, “always close them tightly after use (as) one drop wasted per second wastes 10,000 litres per year.”

Paper used in the restrooms should be manufactued with as much recycled contents as possible, insists Ward. As well, it's a good idea to choose suppliers who take back their packaging for reuse.

Finally, Ward believes that refurbishing your old furniture instead of buying new will not only be less expensive for your company but will be better for the environment as well. Many people look very favourably upon eco-friendly businesses. Therefore, the benefits to “going green” are numerous.