Business sustainable practices
​
Carbon Footprint
Switch to buying your energy from suppliers that use renewable technologies such as wind, wave and solar power; make use of videoconferencing and webinar services to cut down on the number of air miles your employees travel each year; and use electric cars and vans. Whenever possible buy any goods you need locally to cut down on the number of travel miles needed to get them.
​
​
​
Going Paperless
Removing as much paper from your business as possible will help the environment by conserving trees. Sending information electronically also is a less carbon-intensive way of communicating than sending a letter which, as well as being made from paper, relies on carbon-emitting transportation to be delivered. If you must use paper, make sure it's recycled.
​
​
​
Recycle
Start by separating your general waste into glass, plastic and paper and contacting local recycles when you update your office equipment. Offer anything you want to dispose of that's usable and can't be recycled to a local charity before sending it to a landfill. Recycle your ink cartridges, gather the plastic bottles and aluminium cans, call animal shelters for donations of newspaper and plastic bags.
​
​
​
Energy Conservation
Make sure you turn off all lights and electrical equipment when you do not use them. Install energy-saving light bulbs throughout your buildings and fit light sensors in rooms that are used infrequently, such as bathrooms, kitchens and stationary rooms.
​
​
​
Encourage Employee Participation
If you are a business owner, you are in a unique position, and you can use that position to encourage your employees to recycle, and make it easier for them to do the right things. Simple changes, like adding a second trash can just or aluminum cans and plastic bottles to the lunchroom, or installing a drop box where workers can leave their spent inkjet and laser cartridges, encourages employees to recycle and help the environment.
​
​
​