All businesses are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint today. This pressure comes from governments, regulators, and indeed, consumers. More and more people are looking for ethical firms to do business with. This is why you need to make a dedicated effort when it comes to making your business more environmentally friendly. The good news is there is a number of different ways you can go about this. You will find plenty of helpful suggestions below.
Disposing of Waste Electrical and Electronic (WEEE) items
From time to time, all companies will need to dispose of old electronic and electrical items, such as lighting equipment, telecommunications and IT equipment, control instruments, monitoring tools, display equipment, and such like. All companies have a legal obligation to make sure that they dispose of electronic and electrical items in a safe manner. E-waste is one of the fastest growing forms of waste. This becomes a real issue when you consider the dangerous substances that are found in e-waste, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury. These substances can cause significant damage to the environment and human health.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-ram-card-collection-825262/
When disposing of WEEE, you need to be aware of the regulations in place. This relates to the way in which you dispose of the items as well as determining who is responsible for the costs of doing so. There are other steps you can take, though. This includes getting the most from the equipment you have. Little things like educating your employees so they do not overcharge items can make a massive difference. Not only will this ensure you do not contribute to the growing problem of e-waste, but it will boost cost efficiency levels at your business too.
A lot of businesses are responsible for chucking away their electrical items while they are still in working order. If you want an upgraded computer, for instance, there are going to be plenty of people that would love the old version. Why not donate it to a school or a family in need?
Also, when getting rid of hard drives, laptops, mobile phones, and such like, it is of paramount importance that you destroy all data. The last thing you want is for this information to end up in the wrong hands and be used against your business. A lot of people mistakenly believe they have deleted all data by just sending it to the trashcan and then emptying it or resetting their phone to factory settings. However, in most cases, the data will be on your hard drive, you have simply deleted the shortcut.
Make an effort to lower the amount of water your business uses
Another way you can reduce your environmental impact is to lower the amount of water your business utilises. There are a number of ways you can go about this. Investing in a water tank is a good choice. Slimline water tanks can easily be fitted around your business. They collect water so you can be more self-reliant and you do not waste as much.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/water-drop-photo-220213/
In addition to this, there are lots of different equipment types available today that are also available in water-efficient models. You may also want to look into having a energy audit carried out. This is especially the case if you use a large amount of water. By getting an audit, a professional will examine your company’s water consumption. They will determine where you use a lot of water and where there are opportunities for you to use less.
Switch to a green energy supplier
Green electricity involves using renewable resources to power your business. Not only is this a good way to protect the environment, but you will also save money on energy and boost your brand image too.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/abstract-bright-color-dark-397998/
In addition to this, there are a number of subsidies available for businesses who opt for green electricity, and switching is a good way to future-proof your business because you will get a head start before green electricity becomes more commonplace. You will also be exempt from paying duty under the Climate Change Levy (CCL).
There are some other approaches you can make in regards to your company’s electricity. This includes switching to LED light bulbs. While they may cost a little bit more to buy in stores, they are actually much cheaper overall because they use a lot less energy despite producing the same level of light. You should also look out for energy efficient ratings whenever buying equipment, and you may want to consider an energy audit too.
Reduce your carbon footprint when travelling
Businesses are expanding and becoming more global. If your business travels frequently, you should make an effort to reduce your carbon footprint in this regard. This is something you can easily do using one of the carbon calculator tools that are available today. A carbon calculator will provide you with information on how much carbon dioxide you are responsible for emitting if you go to your destination via a certain route. This means you can then look for different routes to take that are more environmentally friendly.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/jet-cloud-landing-aircraft-46148/
You can also make the most of technology to help you plot more environmental routes when it comes to all forms of travel, not just planes. In addition to this, you should encourage your employees to be more eco-friendly through biking to work and car shares. A lot of firms today run competitions to see who can reduce their carbon footprint by the greatest amount.
It is clear to see that there are a number of different ways you can make your business more eco-friendly. It does not matter what industry you operate in, it is important to take the steps to reduce your carbon footprint. This will mean you are doing your bit for the planet, and this will work wonders in terms of your brand image as well.