Business
owners will often cite the environment as their primary motivation for
sustainable practices. They claim it’s their social responsibility to reduce
their company’s carbon emissions and waste. With greater attention on
environmental conservation, it only makes sense they’d refine their outdated
methods.
Of
course, the environment isn’t the sole motivation for sustainable practices.
Some business owners see the appeal in an eco-friendly brand image. Others are
interested in the beneficial effects of sustainability on their workforce, with
increased levels of retention and heightened morale and productivity.
Regardless
of their reasons, business owners will find that sustainability saves them a substantial
sum of money. When they make improvements to their business model and work
toward a higher standard of sustainability, they see a significant decrease in
their expenditure.
With
that in mind — which strategies should business owners employ if they want to
focus their efforts on sustainability?
1. Digitize Paper Documents
An
overreliance on paper products can harm productivity in today’s digital
landscape. With lost documents and general disorder, business owners should
seek modern methods of record-keeping. To that end, digital documents are an
effective solution for organization and the reduction of paper waste.
Business
owners have access to a diverse variety of digital tools for records
management. Employees can locate files in the cloud, collaborate on projects
and share information through sites like DropBox and Google Drive. The
transition may take time, but it’s preferable to the alternative.
2. Transition to LED Light Bulbs
If
a business owner is still using incandescent lighting for their office space,
they should transition to LEDs. They’re slightly more expensive than
traditional bulbs, but it’s possible to make up for the initial investment in
energy savings and replacement costs. Given the advantages of LEDs, it’s an
easy decision.
LEDs
can use 25% to 30% less energy than incandescent lights and last as much as 25
times longer.
A business owner could save more than $1,000 each year by switching out 100
incandescent bulbs active for eight hours a day. Eco-friendly benefits aside,
LED lighting is a cost-effective upgrade.
3. Research Local Tax Incentives
Business
owners can take advantage of rebates, federal tax credits and similar financial
incentives when they engage in
eco-friendly practices. As of now, they can find at least eight financial incentives in the
United States, though the terms for local rebates may differ depending on the
area.
Those
who are interested in local discount policies should reference the Small
Business Administration’s website. They may find something that accommodates their
plans, making technologies for renewable energy more accessible. Solar, wind
and geothermal energy are all potential options.
4. Give Thought to Risk Prevention
The
sustainable practices and improvements on this list have long-term value.
Beyond the energy savings of LED lighting or the convenience of digital
documents, business owners are also contributing to environmental conservation.
While this may not seem relevant to finances, it’ll prove important in the
coming decade.
As
context, climate change can lead to increased drought, rising sea levels and a
higher risk of wildfires. These natural disasters and others like them can have
an enormous impact on the spending and revenue of a business. Sustainable
practices help prevent and prepare for
climate change.
5. Allow for Flexible Work Policies
A
shift toward more flexible work policies is beneficial for both the environment
and the business owner. When they allow their employees to work a remote
position instead of driving to the office, they eliminate the carbon emissions
from commuting and cut costs on lighting, heating and cooling.
Concerning
the financial benefits of this change, IBM’s program is a fitting example. They
reduced their real estate costs by $50 million when they let their workers go
remote. Since the average real estate savings for a full-time teleworker is
around $10,000 per employee each year, remote work is reasonable.
Make the Necessary Changes
Business
owners have a broad spectrum of options when exploring sustainability. Whether
they choose to digitize their documents, invest in LED lighting or follow a similar
suggestion on this list, they can feel safe in their changes. In short, they’ll
make the environment a top priority without losing sight of their bottom line.
Green Jobs
How to Apply for a Green Job With the demand for green jobs skyrocketing so far in 2017, giving yourself a unique edge can be difficult—yet absolutely necessary—in order for you to become a proud worker for Mother Earth. Follow these steps to successfully claim your next environmentally friendly employment opportunity. 1. Resume: Make sure … Continue reading..
