Planet Earth is the only home we have, but we tend to take it for granted. Everything we do can either help save the environment or put it in even greater danger. Eco-friendly business is not only good for the planet itself, but it also boosts the morale of the entire organization. How? It gives a dose of purpose and direction to all employees and it also allows you to attract a whole new group of clients. Going green doesn’t have to be such a hassle. Here are some laws or rules that every eco-friendly business lives by.
Benefits of eco-friendly business
Start using PCW paper and packaging
When trying to go green, we usually start with paper in order to help preserve trees. In order to do so, we usually look for that recycling symbol on a box of paper. Although this seems like a logical move, it is not overly practical because this is an unregulated designation.
What to do, then?
Ideally, you should skip the paper and all paper products altogether but in some cases that is impossible (for now). What every eco-friendly business should do is to switch to PCW paper, paper products, and packaging. Here, PCW stands for
Only PCW paper is 100% eco-friendly because it is made entirely from the paper we place in recycling bins on a daily basis. The manufacturing process of PCW paper requires 45% less energy and produces half the waste of the traditional papermaking operation.
Step into the digital age
Although ditching papers altogether isn’t always possible, but you can at least reduce paper use. An easy way to do that is to get contracts and documents signed much faster with electronic signatures. We live in the era of technology that gives us a multitude of opportunities that make our business and personal life easier.
Stepping into the digital age and getting all contracts signed electronically with trusted platforms such as e-signature reduces paper use and it makes them easier to organize. That way, you or your team members won’t have to waste time trying to find contracts, files, and other important documents. Just type a keyword and they’ll be available to you instantly, no more stress and time-consuming operations.
Get all team members involved
Saving the environment is a global, not an individual matter. Eco-friendly business is not about one person making all “green” decisions. It’s a teamwork! That’s why you should get all team members involved in the process and work together to make eco-friendly decisions. Plus, different people have different ideas which can only benefit the cause.
Getting other people involved helps raise awareness of the importance of going green and it also inspires the entire community. For instance, you can set up regular discussions with other employees or team members where they can suggest ideas to make the company/business more eco-friendly. As a result, this also boosts morale and generates goodwill as every person on the team can contribute to the environmental goals.
Moreover, you should inform clients or customers that the business is eco-friendly. This way, they will choose you over competitors but at the same time, you will inspire them to be more mindful about the planet.
Biodegradable cleaners
Eco-friendly business doesn’t revolve around reducing paper use, other aspects are important too. For instance, most businesses use standard cleaners which are bad for both people and the environment. Regular cleaners contain harsh chemicals. Exposure to these chemicals can contribute to numerous illnesses. Plus, those substances are introduced to the environment as well. To make your business more environmentally friendly, you should switch to biodegradable cleaners. Many shops and stores sell these products in bulk so you can, actually, save money too.
Pull the plug
When you’re about to close for the day or you’re leaving the office and you just turn off your computer? Big mistake! During this time, your computer uses energy anyway and it is not good news for the environment. Your best bet is to turn off everything you can and unplug those machines or appliances entirely. That way, they won’t secretly use more energy and the electricity bill will be much lower. Another thing you can do is to ensure that the entire office or company uses energy-saving appliances.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse
Every eco-friendly business should live by the four Rs:
Reduce – rethink how much energy, paper, and other disposable things and reduce their use, be creative and experiment with different solutions to make the cuts. Plus, this is yet another way to save money
Reuse – we have the tendency to throw everything in the trash immediately, without thinking how we can use them again. There is no rule which says you should use a disposable water cup once, place it on your desk and use again when you need water
Recycle – this is self-explanatory, recycle everything you can
Refuse – don’t buy things you or your business don’t need
Green power
In many areas of the country, you can opt for use of “green power” from the current utility provider. Basically, green power is generated from renewable energy sources, thus being environmentally friendly. Powering the business with an alternative form of energy makes a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the entire planet.
Bottom line
Benefits of eco-friendly business are numerous and you, should definitely join the movement to save the environment. Laws of eco-friendly business are simple, be mindful about everything you use, work together as a team, and don’t buy stuff you don’t really need. Be creative and find different ways to benefit the environment.
Tom Jager is professional blogger. He works at Bestessaytips. He has degree in Law and English literature. Tom has written numerous articles/online journals. You can reach him at G+ or Facebook.