Green your Business

Whether you work in a hundred-story office building, or run a local restaurant, there are always ways to change your business practices to reduce your impact on the environment. It can be tough to determine where to start, or what products to buy. "Greenwashing" is the term used to describe products that aren't very much more environmentally friendly than others, but promote themselves that way. This problem arises because there is not a lot of regulation concerning "green" products, so you have to do your homework. Also, more often than not, "green" labeled products are often more expensive than others. It is important to keep in mind that every step you take makes a difference. Here are some tips on how to "green" your business, without breaking the bank or spending a day at the library.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It's the age old saying, but it is the best place to start. Limit your paper usage as much as possible, and put a recycling bin next to the garbage can. Use paper made from post-consumer waste. It is also a great idea to store presentations and papers on flash drives or a tablet computer. This will save paper, and also promote your business as an environmentally conscious entity. If you are a restaurant, enroll in programs which donate unused food and supplies to homeless shelters throughout your city.

Promote green activities for employees

Encourage and create rewards programs for your employees. Ride share programs are a great place to start, and most public transportation systems offer a corporate plan that offer reduced bus fare for your employees. Keep reusable silverware and dishes at your office, and discourage the use of disposable wares. Make environmentally savvy information part of your newsletter or daily emails. Many changes are simple, and all it takes is a reminder for people to change their ways.

Host a Fundraiser or Donate to an Environmentally Friendly Program

You don't have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, or start a worldwide movement, just be creative. Find out if any of your employees are involved in any environmental programs outside of work, and join the cause. Create incentives for your employees to raise the most money, or schedule a discussion topic within your weekly meetings. Not only will you be helping your community and the environment, you will build team communication among your employees and you can promote your business while doing it.

Saving the environment can seem like a daunting task, but consumers are growing more and more conscious about what businesses they patron. Take the first step towards going green, and you might be surprised how easy it is to get people motivated