How To Green Your Business

Take a look at the waste your business produces, and see how you can reduce it.

Save paper. Recycle paper products and encourage employees to archive their work electronically—and not print out every email or document that comes their way.

Instead of supplying cans of soda, install a fountain. Use a water cooler instead of bottled water.

Lower the thermostat in winter and encourage people to bring in light sweaters to wear in the office.

Replace your lightbulbs with the more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

Your utility company will provide a free or low-cost energy audit that recommends ways to improve your energy efficiency, which will result in lower energy bills.

Reduce traveling by using alternatives like teleconferencing.

Tell your suppliers you’re interested in purchasing equipment and supplies that are recycled, renewable, or refurbished. If possible, only work with companies that are environmentally conscious as well.

Properly dispose of things like copy-machine toner and batteries.

Recycle old electronics like computers and company cell phones by donating them to charitable causes or returning them to manufacturers who can salvage parts.

Make your employees part of the process by soliciting suggestions and rewarding employees who make environmental contributions.