Updated Apr 1, 2023 By Joyce Wilson (info@teacherspark.org)
https://teacherspark.org
Image via Unsplash
Whether you’re planning to start a new business or have one up and running already, make it eco-friendly. Not only are sustainable businesses 2.5 times more successful than non-sustainable ones, but the government is slowly tightening the screws on the latter. By making the shift to eco-friendliness now, you can get a head start and avoid playing catch-up later.
In this resource guide, Second Plumbing and Heating explains how to go green with your business.
Educate Yourself on Key Eco-Friendliness Metrics
Eco-friendliness metrics are indicators of your environmental impact – net negative, neutral, or positive. When you know where you’re falling short, you can make improvements.
Greenhouse gas emissions: calculate your carbon footprint and see how it compares
Energy use: know the average energy use for businesses similar to yours in the country.
Water use: measure your water usage for ideas on how to save more water. Contact Second Plumbing and Heating to learn if there are more specific things you can do to reduce water waste in your office.
Water pollution: see how your business or partners (in your supply chain) are doing in terms of water use, and implement best practices.
Waste generation: finally, check your waste and learn how to recycle and reuse.
Research Methods to be More Eco-Friendly
Plenty of businesses have gone green already. By researching trends, you can gain some much-needed inspiration. Some examples:
Switching to clean, renewable energy instead of coal-based power.
Making use of electric vehicles instead of traditional gas-based ones for transportation.
Use a free invoice maker to generate professional electronic invoices that you can send instead of paper copies.
Allowing employees to work remotely, which saves resources in several ways.
Make Your Business Eco-Friendly
If you’re launching a new business, create a business plan and include your eco-friendly goals.
Inform yourself about the environmental laws applicable to small businesses.
Sustainability isn’t free. Come up with an eco-budget, and measure the ROI on your initiatives.
Market your eco-friendly nature. It’s how you will acquire buy-in from present and future stakeholders.
Take Steps to Care for Our Planet
There’s been an increase in natural disasters by 10 times over the past few decades, says Vision of Humanity. We all have a moral obligation to do our bit for the environment to bring things back into balance. The economic benefits don’t hurt, either. Sustainability involves an investment initially, but more than pays for itself in time.