The year of 2018 will only mean further immersion into all things digital, so be sure your company stays relevant and financially viable through sustainability measures.
7 Practical Ways Your Businesses Can Go Green
Megan Ray Nichols | Schooled By Science
Around the world, the digital age is revolutionizing how companies do business, though continuing the tradition of how the business world must adapt their workplaces to be resilient, efficient and viable.
Of course, viability in the business world is becoming more synonymous with sustainable practices and processes. Many companies have adopted business models which aim to decrease their impact on the environment and optimize operational efficiency.
How can your business go green? Check out these seven practical ways:
Improve Energy Efficiency
Companies can reduce their energy usage by 15 percent in a few steps. Think of you and your colleagues’ behavior at work — it would cost you nothing to use your computer’s automatic sleep function, as well as little effort to manage your building’s heating more accurately or use blinds to reduce the need for AC in milder temperatures.
If you’re going to go the extra effort of energy efficiency, consider investing in new products that are greener. Variable speed compressors, for example, can help you save 35 percent of the energy expended by conventional rotary screw compressors.
Champion Active Commuting to Work
It’s often cheaper for companies to have their headquarters on the outskirts of major cities or within purpose-built business parks. While the rent may be ideal, it can mean that more staff will need to travel by car.
Promoting active transportation to and from work for your employees could have a significant effect. Imagine if the entire company moved from cars to bikes for a whole year? Naturally, there’s no better persuasion than paving the way yourself, so be prepared to hop on your bike!
To encourage workers to get commute to work via bikes, walking or another method, install bike racks and practical features at work — a shower, for instance, could also help people make the transition.
Create Green Advocate Groups
Identify the people in your company who are committed to a green way of life and harness their collective enthusiasm to create a plan for sustainability. Green teams not only educate their peers on the importance of living consciously of the environment, but they also keep track of how the company is faring.
To create initiative among your team members, consider making it a competition. Each member of your green team, for instance, could head mini-teams. Each team tracks their carbon footprint with the goal of reducing it the most. At the end of each quarter, or even the year, the winning team gets a big prize!
Invest in Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has been on the rise since the 1990s — it minimizes the need for physical space and other resources that take up energy, release emissions and increase operational costs.
Over the last two years, the cloud adoption rate has been at almost 80 percent. And if that continues, the industry could reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 megatons — that’s equivalent to more than 1.5 million cars leaving the roadways.
With cloud computing, you’ll also increase your customer satisfaction and productivity, plus integrate your overall operations, which can decrease your costs. And this is all while supporting a movement to sustainability.
Manage Your Cloud Storage
While cloud computing works, moving your files to cloud storage doesn’t necessarily mean you’re taking sustainable action. Digital documents also have carbon impacts somewhere in the world, therefore be lean and ruthless in deleting old and unused files on your cloud that aren’t needed anymore.
Implement a Sustainable Purchasing Policy
You and your green teams should put time and money aside to decide on a sustainable purchasing policy, such as when renovating your existing location. Make every purchase to the highest sustainable standards affordable. Perhaps anticipate and budget for a 15 to 30 percent premium threshold for investing in the latest green products available.
Outsource Your Operations
Outsourcing non-core business operations could empower you by saving your company thousands by cutting down on rent, payroll, overhead costs and other expenses. It also means that your business could expect to see a boost in productivity because of successful streamlining.
Your business can go green with some dedication and rousing of the troops! The year of 2018 will only mean further immersion into all things digital, so be sure your company stays relevant and financially viable through sustainability measures.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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