Sustainable Business Practices
As issues surrounding the environment and sustainable initiatives continue to become paramount to businesses and individuals alike, companies across the nation have begun to take note. Believe it or not, but sustainable company practices can make good business and financial sense, as well as helping the environment.
Recycle
Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways for a small business to become greener. Simply placing recycling bins next to photocopiers and in other strategic places in an office or work premises will encourage employees to place waste in the appropriate recycling container.
Recycling comes with multiple tangible benefits for small businesses, including waste costs, making savings on new purchases, increasing awareness in the workforce, and improving the brand image.
Energy Saving
When you’re not at your desk, why does your computer need to be switched on? Similarly, when the office is empty, why do lights need to be left on? Energy is an unavoidable business expense, but it can be managed. One of the simplest ways to reduce energy consumption is to switch off. Whether it’s appliances, lights, heating, or the radio, simply turning off appliances and lights will help to save resources – while reducing your energy bill!
Go Paperless
We’re firmly entrenched in the digital era, so why continue to print out document after document? Opt for solely digital forms of communication and paperwork, an accomplishment that will not only save a small business money, but will also save trees year after year.
Reducing Heating and Cooling Costs
Cold winters and hot summers can take their toll on a business’s energy costs. While these are unavoidable expenses, there are a number of fairly simple techniques you can implement to help reduce such costs. Smart thermostats allow you to program the heating to turn on and off at different times of the day. In the summer, using ceiling fans and encouraging the use of desk fans mean that the workspace is less reliant on costly air-conditioning.
Virtual Staffing
Hiring virtual staff that work remotely help to save on office costs as well as transportation fumes. If you cannot operate without physical employees at least some of the time, allow your employees to work from home one day a week so that they don’t need to travel and you can switch off the office appliances for a day!
Let us know how your business is going green! For the protection your business needs, contact Kurt Rolf Insurance Agency for reliable commercial insurance, serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, South Dakota, and Arizona.
