As business owners, we’re responsible for the carbon footprint of our ventures. We need to ensure we’re keeping our energy use in check, not creating too much waste and responsibly disposing of the waste we do make. Here are a few ways to go about it.
Reduce plastic
Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, this means that most of the plastic items that have ever been produced still exist somewhere on the planet. As a result, entire island-sized junkyards of plastic have washed up in the oceans. Single use plastics are especially wasteful, in many businesses this manifests as things like pens and ink cartridges, plastic water fountain cups and plastic bags. Audit your company’s waste and see where you can make simple swaps to use less plastic.
Recycle correctly
Ensure you have efficient recycling systems for your business, so that any waste is being correctly disposed of. Better recycling means less general waste (which ends up in landfills or being incinerated- both of which are incredibly bad for the environment). The systems you implement will depend on the size of your business and what sort of waste you create, but it essentially involves separating plastic, glass, paper and other recyclables from general rubbish. Bigger companies can outsource their waste and recycling, third party companies can effectively deal with this if you can’t and will have all the equipment on hand to maximise results. A cable stripper machine for example can extract metals from inside wires to improve how these materials are recycled.
Go paper free
We live in a digital age where we can access information and store data easily on our devices. While paper is recyclable and is a far better choice than other materials like plastic, it’s better to not use it at all if you dont need to. Opt for paper-free receipts, invoices and other traditional paperwork and send electronically instead.
Provide training
To ensure all of your employees understand the best practices when it comes to being more eco friendly, consider providing workshops and training which can educate people on making better choices as well as how the impact of their actions affects the planet.
Outsource to eco- friendly companies
Choosing eco friendly materials, techniques and products creates more demand for them. Help to create a demand for more environmentally friendly companies and processes by spending money with them, even if it costs a little more. Do your research and choose carefully, these days you can find everything from companies that offer low VOC and chemical free alternatives to common products to those which source sustainably or don’t test on animals.
Change your office lighting
Most of us are keen to reduce our fuel usage at the moment, the energy cap rose by 50% this April meaning most of us are paying double for our bills. But as well as the financial implications, using less energy is better for the environment too since fewer fossil fuels are being burned. Switch out lighting to more efficient bulbs, and consider smart technology which can allow you to set lights and other appliances to timers. That way there’s no risk of things accidentally being left on when everyone has gone home.
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