Recycling seems to be the hot topic of discussion nowadays. Be it because people have finally realized the impact waste has on the environment, or simply because it seems to be a cool thing to do now, the reason does not matter, as long as the main purpose is accomplished: reducing the footprint left on nature.
Running a green business has tremendous benefits. Not only for the environment, but for your pocket too. You can save up a lot by becoming more conscious about the way you purchase products, dispose of waste and conduct business. Below is a list of advice on how to run an eco-friendly business and save some money at the same time.
Buy second-hand office furniture and machinery
When you are setting up the workplace, wait a second before ordering a new set of furniture and equipment and, instead of going for new products, take a look at second-hand ones. No matter the business you are running, chances are you can find most of the equipment preowned, but in good quality. Office desks, furniture, racks, as well as heavy machinery can be found either online or at specialized second-hand stores.
Don’t fear the fact that they may not be new and may not last you the same as a new equipment would. If you do some research, you can find extremely good deals that will save you quite a few hundred bucks for each purchase. For office furniture, go to local yard sales and fairs, and for equipment, keep an eye out for auctions, as well as or companies that are closing down and have equipment for sale.
Recycle to reduce waste disposal costs
In an attempt to help increase the percentage of recycling, more and more countries have raised landfill costs. To avoid having to spend a fortune on waste disposing, the best thing you can do is recycle. Recycling companies charge way less for disposing of waste, than if you would send the waste to a landfill.
Materials that can be recycled are usually paper, plastic, glass and aluminum, all of which can be stored for a long period of time, without giving you any unpleasant issue. You can simply store them until you have enough to send them to recycling centers. If you fear you don’t have enough space, you can save even more room by baling the waste Compacted cardboard, for example, can be stored in ballots somewhere and be sent to recycling centers afterwards.
Reuse what you can instead of purchasing more
There are countless ways you can reuse different items before throwing them away. Cardboard boxes, for example, can be disassembled and stored away for further use. Same goes for basically any type of storage container, from plastic boxes to metal ones. Instead of throwing them away, only to find yourself having to purchase new ones, next time store them away and reuse.
This will help save you tremendous amounts of money in time. If you have to send and receive packages on a daily basis, save bubble wrap and protective foam from packages you receive, and use them the next time you have to send something out.
Use recycled material
If it was not for companies who use recycled materials, then recycling would literally have no purpose. If you have a manufacturing business, contact recycling centers and ask to purchase recycled material from them. Chances are, you will find raw materials at a much lower price than you would on the market and the quality is the same.
Do some research and find out what type of materials you can find recycled substitutes for. Recycled plastic, for example, is often turned into a material that can replace timber and it holds many advantages. It is more durable, it does not rot or degrade as fast as wood would and, in the long run, it costs much less.
Reduce energy waste
Recycling is not the only way you can save money and save the planet. To reduce the carbon footprint your business leaves, pay good attention to the way you use energy. Always make sure no unnecessary computers or machinery are left turned one overnight. Instruct your employees not to leave their computers on when they leave the office, as well as turn off the lights in rooms that are unoccupied.
Replace all light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are known for using up to 30% less energy than a normal light bulb would, not to mention they last 20 times more. While LED bulbs are a bit more expensive when purchased, in time, you can end up saving more than you expect to.
Another way to reduce energy waste is to invest in energy-saving appliances for the office. Again, while they may be a bit more expensive on initial purchase, the do a tremendous job in saving you money in the long run.
Allow employees to work from home
Working from home from time to time will not only help your employees’ mental health, but is a tremendous way to help the environment. You can cut down on energy costs that are required to light or heat the office, while also reducing the carbon footprint left.
Think of it this way: employees are not coming to the office, which means they don’t have to use their car; hence they will end up polluting less. Not to mention you will be saving them a few bucks as well, which they will be tremendously thankful for.
A study revealed that, allowing employees to work from home has helped IBM cut down costs by $50 million. Pretty neat, right?
Reducing waste and finding ways to run an eco-friendly business will not only help you leave a smaller impact on the environment, but also save you a lot of company money. While some waste-reducing processes may cost more initially, you will end up saving more in time, which will turn on a much bigger ROI. If you don’t know where to start, take the first step and replace the lightbulbs and appliances for energy-efficient ones and allow your employees to work remote for at least one day a week.
