If you’re anything like me, you’ve had that moment where you question the eco-friendly nature of your business. It’s difficult to run a business in this way, or at least, that’s how it’s perceived. The reality is that there are plenty of easy ways to do it if you take the time to research the topic. We’re going to take that responsibility out of your hands with seven really easy ways to get started today.
Go Paperless
You’ve probably heard this suggestion before. You might not be able to go entirely paperless, but there are ways to cut down your usage. Arguably the best way is to look at cloud solutions like Dropbox for storage. Start keeping documents in digital format rather than paper format, and you’ll save a lot of unnecessary printing.
Alter Your Printer Settings
But, we understand that you’ll need to still do some printing from time to time. The way in which you set your printer settings will drastically change how much ink and energy you use. For example, set the defaults back to double-sided pages and moderate quality after every print. Otherwise, you might be needlessly printing at top-quality across multiple pages for no reason at all.
Online Meetings
The next time someone suggests that you set up a meeting, ask whether you can do so via Skype. Online video meetings offer similar possibilities to traditional ones, but in a much more eco-friendly way. You’ll be saving money by eliminating paper, as well as the extra travel of everyone involved.
Turn Off Screensavers
It doesn’t get much simpler than this! Screensavers are a waste of energy, and there’s no need to use them. You can set Windows operating systems to turn off the monitor after a certain period of time instead. And, if you’re able to, think about setting the entire system to turn off after a short period of inactivity.
Re-Think The Services You Use
There are some businesses that simply have to get involved with somewhat unfriendly materials and liquids. Still, there are plenty of eco-friendly companies out there that look to carry out processes in the most friendly ways possible. So, whether it’s an exchange scheme for gas oil drums or an eco-friendly waste management service, you’ll find what you need.
Replace Your Cleaning Products
Your business will undoubtedly use cleaning products for everything from bathrooms to offices. Many of these cleaning products are often harmful to the environment and should be replaced. You’ll find all sorts of eco-friendly alternatives with just a quick Google search. You’ll also regularly find them in the aisles of most retail stores with a cleaning department.
Install Motion Sensors
One of the biggest culprits for energy waste in business is leaving the lights on. It can happen for all sorts of reasons. It might occur as a result of forgetting to turn them off when leaving a room. It might happen because they’re left on overnight. Motion sensors put an end to this by only activating lights when there’s someone present.
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This article was provided by ellie jo