Here’s a few sobering scenarios that you should consider if you’re still sitting on the fence as far as the climate change debate is concerned.
- Statistics right from NASA indicate that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are at their highest in 650,000 years and that nine of the ten warmest years ever recorded have happened since 2000.
- The prestigious World Health Organization has some dire forecasts as well. They predict that droughts will “strongly increase” in the coming years in south and southeastern Europe. They also report that floods having a direct link to climate change have affected more than 3.4 million people and killed well over 1000 in the years from 2000 to 2011.
All businesses need to take an active conscious role in helping to save the planet. Not only do consumers demand this from the companies behind the products and services they buy, but going green can actually have a good ROI.
Here’s a few things you might not have thought of that can help save money and lessen your company’s carbon footprint at the same time.
Print on the paper that comes from the bins
By now you probably know that it’s best to skip paper if you can. However, if you still need to print on that letterhead size, taking the time to do a little research will make sure you’re using the proper kind of recyclable paper. Here’s where you’ll need to take your time and look beyond the recycling logo that’s on a lot of the paper products used but doesn’t always mean the product inside is completely green.
You should look for only those items that are clearly marked post consumer waste (PCW). That means you’re using paper that comes from recycling bins and uses less energy and only makes half the waste of the old-fashioned process.
It’s easier and cheaper to post manuals and other documents online because updating them only takes a few keystrokes and not reams of paper and dwindling energy resources.
Although there are a lot of companies that pay lip service to being eco friendly, there are a few great examples of firms that been around since well before the Internet and nevertheless make their green efforts well known. One of these is Twiddy.com.
These are the folks that are proud about their efforts at going green and this company that specializes in vacation rentals on the Outer Banks in North Carolina beams on their website about how many sheets of paper they’ve actually saved from landfill.
Bright ideas on going green
Beyond using LED bulbs so you can save on energy consumption and lessen your carbon footprint at the same time, there are a few daily tricks you can master in the day to day operations of your business.
- Regardless of the number of employees you have, instituting a policy where you shut the lights off when you leave the room for 15 minutes or more is a good green idea and a great way to save on energy costs.
- Timers and motion sensors are another way to cover the tracks of those people who forget to shut the lights off. These work really well outside your building and add an element of security at the same time.
- Energy Star-rated fixtures and bulbs are the way you need to go. Taking a little extra time to make sure you outfit the smallest office or each floor in your building with these carbon reducing cost saving additions will pay off in the long run.
Computing to Conserve
Even though it might be a little bit of a paradox, moving away from the paperless world into cyberspace where you’re using computers to replace notepads and typewriters doesn’t necessarily put you in the good green books.
It is important to go the extra step and turn off not only the computer but the power bar it is plugged into when you’ve finished up and are headed home for the day. Estimates say this simple action can save you another 50% off your energy costs.
Setting those same computers to go to sleep during intermittent breaks can save an astounding 70% off those same electrical bills.
Sometimes, doing your part for Mother Nature is as simple as making things as convenient as possible for your clients where payment is concerned. Seibert Realty specializes in Virginia Beach Vacation Rentals but that lofty business goal didn’t prevent them from offering paperless payment options on their website that undoubtedly helps their business by helping to preserve the natural wonders their clients come to see.