How does making your business environmentally sustainable save money

Running an environmentally friendly business helps you reduce your impact on the environment and preserves natural resources. Your business can help the environment in many ways. For example, you can:. Making your business environmentally friendly not only benefits the environment but can also save you money. Avoiding, reducing, reusing and recycling can lower your costs. For example, a few simple changes to how you deal with paper can involve your staff in environmentally friendly processes while saving you money:.

Record your expenses

Let’s be honest: If you run a business, reducing your carbon footprint might not be your top priority. But going green can actually save money for you and your business — and improve your workplace culture in the meantime. Another study that year, by UCLA and the University of Paris-Dauphine, found that employees at eco-friendly companies are 16 percent more productive than average. The authors wrote that these workers were more motivated, better trained and formed more interpersonal relationships, which in turn increased efficiency. Helping your company become more environmentally conscious can be a lot easier than you might think: A move as simple as installing solar panels can cut your taxes by nearly a third of the installation cost — and could cut your energy bills in half. From conserving water to tax incentives, here are seven ways to a greener and more profitable business. Light emitting diode LED bulbs can use 25 to 30 percent less energy than incandescent light and last 25 times longer — which means big savings. Some LEDs can last 20 years or more. While they are slightly more expensive upfront than incandescents, these bulbs and others like it such as compact fluorescent lights or CFLs pay for themselves in saved energy and replacement costs.

1. Go paperless

Some people may not enjoy the idea of buying second-hand furniture, but used items can cut furniture costs in half and reduces landfill waste. In the wake of the recession, purchases of second-hand furniture rose as many failed businesses were forced to sell their furniture to other operations, she said. If the pieces you buy are high-quality or collector’s items, the furniture can even retain its value, she said. Those shopping for new chairs, tables and other items should consider furnishings made of green materials. Wood pieces certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, for instance, come from trees grown in sustainable and socially responsible conditions. Bamboo is also considered by some experts to be eco-friendly, since its fast growth avoids the need for pesticides. New eco-friendly furniture might not be cheaper upfront, but good-quality pieces last longer and can be more intelligently made, said Schwab. For example, Herman Miller designs modular furniture with easily replaced sections, so you can spend less if only one part of a piece breaks. By allowing employees to work remotely, you can reduce your carbon footprint and paper waste, and cut down on costs required to light, heat and cool your office. More people working from home also cuts down on carbon emissions from commuting. The federal government seems to support the shift toward more flexible policies: A report found that 47 percent of EPA employees were working remotely or «teleworking.

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Consumers are becoming increasingly educated about the environmental impact of human activity. By incorporating eco-friendly practices into your business you are helping the bottom line as well as the environment. Keep in mind that your efforts to «green» your business practices must be genuine if you advertise them as such. Consumers have a tendency to punish businesses if they feel they have been misled by false claims of sustainability known as greenwashing». Despite the fact that cars and trucks account for approximately 20 percent of all U. A recent report by Brian McKenzie of the U. Census Bureau found that that 86 percent of U. Leaving the car at home and walking or cycling to work is great exercise as well as good for the environment. If you are not used to either activity start slow. Make a commitment to doing so a few days a week, or if the distances are too large, consider walking part way.

Recycling reduces your costs

Looking after the planet and being green is not only the moral thing for you to do, but it can also make a lot of good business sense. So how can your business be greener you may ask? Here are four ways where you can start your eco-friendly journey. It could involve installing recycling bins in the office to reduce waste, such as paper and plastic bottles. You can also cut down on any wasted energy, which will save you money in the long run. Encourage your employees to switch off their computer monitors, printers and the lights at the end of each day as standby mode still uses power overnight and on a weekend. Go green by switching to energy efficient bulbs and replace outdated appliances with greener counterparts that will use their energy more efficiently. As well as encouraging your employees to be more conscious about their energy usage, you can introduce incentives for those who travel into work the eco-friendly way. This might include better parking spots for those who are car sharing, discounts when using public transport and perks for those who cycle or walk into work. This is one of the bigger changes your business can make, but it will have many advantages. As well as the business advantages, such as a more productive staff and easier to access documentation, it also has its eco-friendly credentials. Making your business more environmentally-friendly has many perks — not only will you be saving money and promoting a healthier and happier workplace, your environmentally conscious consumers will respect your green commitment and be more likely to do business with you. Introduce Incentives As well as encouraging your employees to be more conscious about their energy usage, you can introduce incentives for those who travel into work the eco-friendly way. Switch to the Cloud This is one of the bigger changes your business can make, but it will have many advantages.

Recycle your e-waste.

Let us know in the comments. What are the benefits of switching? The Carbon Trust have built a handy tool, designed to help small businesses and organisations calculate their carbon footprint. Looking after the planet and being green is not only the moral thing for you to do, but it can also make a lot of good business sense. As a small business owner, it’s possible you think your eco efforts will take too long to deliver any real business benefits. We strive to provide you with information about products and services you might find interesting and useful. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on social media. You can also cut down on any wasted energy, which will save you money in the long run. What does business insurance cover? Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Trending Building credit and keeping yours healthy How to build credit from scratch Building your credit with a secured credit card. Insurance Public liability insurance Business insurance Landlord insurance Tradesman insurance Professionals’ insurance Not for profit insurance Restaurant insurance Commercial van insurance Insurers. There are also opportunities to earn money back on your renewable energy, plus all the softer but crucial benefits, from attracting new employees with your squeaky-green credentials to building your brand around the measures you’re taking to reduce your carbon footprint. Sometimes the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started.

1. Switch to eco-friendly lighting

Sometimes the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started. This monsy guide for how to save money can help you develop a simple and realistic strategy, so you can save for all your short- and long-term savings goals. The first step to start saving money is to figure out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses—that means every coffee, household item and cash tip. Once you have your data, organize savr numbers by categories, such as gas, groceries and mortgage, and total each.

Tip: Look for a free spending tracker to help you get started. Choosing a digital program or app can help automate some of this work. Your budget should outline how your expenses measure up to your income—so you can plan your spending and limit overspending. Be sure to factor in expenses that occur regularly but not every month, such as car maintenance.

Identify nonessentials that you can spend less on, such as entertainment and dining. One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Here are some examples of short- and long-term goals:. While investments come with risks and can lose money, they also create the opportunity for growth when the market grows, and could be appropriate if you plan for an event far in advance.

See step No. After busijess expenses and income, your goals are likely to have the biggest impact on how you allocate your savings. Look carefully at all of your options and consider things like balance minimums, fees and interest rates so you can choose the mix that will help you best save for your goals. Almost all banks offer automated transfers between your checking and savings accounts.

You can choose when, how much and where to transfer money or even split your direct deposit so a portion of every paycheck goes directly into your savings account. Review your budget and check your progress every month.

Not only will this help you stick to your personal savings plan, but it also helps you identify and fix problems environmentallly. Understanding how to save money may even inspire you to find more ways to save and hit your goals faster.

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Share page Close share. Save page Close save Added to My Priorities. Mqking page. Tip: Include a savings category—aim to save 10 how does making your business environmentally sustainable save money 15 percent of your income. Here are some ideas for trimming everyday expenses: Use resources such as community event listings to find free or low-cost events to reduce entertainment spending. You may be glad you passed—or ready to save up for it. Emergency fund 3—9 months of living expenses, just in case Vacation Down payment for a car.

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Budget for savings

Pivoting towards more eco-friendly processes can save your company money, and it can also add to the list of things that set you apart from your competition. If you’re looking to reduce your business’s carbon footprint, here are. Transitioning to a remote work environment will not only save you money but also cut down on pollution. And you don’t have to go completely remote — consider an eco-friendly initiative like introducing work-from-home Wednesdays or Fridays.

Embrace a remote work environment.

As tech advances, people continue to produce a lot of electronic waste, or «e-waste» — think cell phones, tablets, computers, televisions and. Did you know that the internet puts a significant strain on the environment? Since Greenpeace has been calling on major internet companies to power their data centers with renewable energy. Facebook and Google have already committed and your company how does making your business environmentally sustainable save money do your part. By choosing green web hosting you can ensure that part of the energy comes from a renewable energy source. There are a number of affordable web hosting solutions that will help your company reduce its carbon footprint including GreenGeeks, HostPapa, iPage and. If you want to save money on your energy costs and do something beneficial for the environment, consider making use of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal. Depending on your office’s location, you could potentially install solar panels on the roof or use energy from a nearby wind turbine farm. Making this type of change doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. You can check out the Small Business Association for local, regional and state energy efficiency programs that offer grants and loans for businesses that make eco-friendly upgrades.