These days it’s important that as a company you care about and respect the environment. If businesses do their part then it can be a cleaner and safer world for all to live and exist.

You may be wondering what more you can do to help the environment as a business owner. Be glad to know there are many actions you can take that will make a big difference and ensure that you’re contributing to the cause. Here you can review some ways to make your company more eco-friendly so you can rest assured that you’re doing all you can to create a more sustainable workplace environment.

Organize Green Challenges & Reward Green Behaviors

If your company is going to be more eco-friendly then you must get your employees on board. One idea is to organize and implement green challenges at your office. These can be weekly or monthly and are a great way to get your staff more involved in your green initiative. It will get your employees more excited about wanting to help out. Some ideas include taking the stairs instead of the elevator or bringing lunches in reusable containers. Further, you can offer preferred parking for those who carpool to work or pay for bus or subway passes for those who choose to take these modes of transportation to work.

Dispose of Products & Waste Properly

As a company, you’re going to accumulate a lot of different kinds of waste over the years. It’s especially true if you work in the industrial sector or have a factory. In some cases, you may be managing fleets of trucks and have waste oil that you want to dispose of properly. You must know how to properly handle hazardous materials using dedicated disposal channels. It’s a good idea to educate your employees on proper disposal practices so everyone is on the same page. You could utilize the services provided by Oil Salvage who recycle a large variety of oils. They offer a nationwide collection and are committed to sustainable waste disposal.

Commit to Recycling

If your company wants to help the environment then you should encourage recycling. Make sure that you have dedicated bins in your office that are used solely for recyclable items. Go over which items can be recycled with your team members so that the wrong items are not thrown in the trash. So take the right steps to safely recycle your electronic devices such as phones and computers. You may also want to consider switching to purchasing recyclable or compostable supplies. One idea is to stock your storeroom with items such as plates, cups, and napkins that are compostable and disposable. Take time to research the recycling options in your area and commit to recycling as many items as possible.

Use Less Paper

Another way to make your company more eco-friendly is to convert a paperless office. Encourage employees to take notes on their laptops during meetings instead of pulling out a pad of paper. Only have a few printers that you can use in case you absolutely need to print something out. In many organizations, paper is a major source of waste. You’ll not only be throwing away less paper overall, but you’ll also be able to cut costs by not having to purchase as much paper. You may even be able to move to a smaller office space since you won’t require as much room for storing files. In this case, you’d be cutting back and saving on energy costs, furniture, supplies, and heating and cooling. You can reduce your electricity costs and use by using less paper and printing fewer documents as well. Instead, choose to send documents electronically, which can help you cut back on energy use.

Take Your Business Online

Technology is always changing and evolving. It offers businesses the chance to not only work smarter but also contribute to helping the environment. Consider taking your business online to make your company more eco-friendly. Technology offers your business many advantages by helping to improve productivity, enhance collaboration and communication, and cost reduction. Choose to keep your important files and documents online and consider selling your products over the internet by experimenting with e-commerce. It’s an opportunity to minimize paper waste, allow for more sustainable packaging and shipping practices, and decrease the need for a physical storefront space.

Purchase Goods from Sustainable Companies

As a company, you will have to make many different types of purchases depending on your needs. You can ensure that you’re not going about this task blindly. Make your company more eco-friendly by choosing to purchase goods from sustainable companies. Making smart buying decisions is the perfect opportunity to do your part when it comes to improving the environment in the business world. Do your homework and research and figure out what your options are as they relate to working with other companies who care about the environment and have sustainable practices in place. You should also think long and hard before making purchases for new products and adding more waste to your office. Instead, consider purchasing items that are refurbished or skipping them altogether so you can achieve a more minimal setup. If you must make purchases, commit to making sure they are high-quality items that will last longer. In some cases, you may be able to repair certain items instead of replacing them altogether.

Offer Remote Work

Another way to make your company more eco-friendly is to offer remote work for your employees. It’s not only a way to contribute to a more sustainable workplace environment, but also an attractive benefit that your employees will appreciate. When you allow your staff to work from home some days they won’t have to commute into the office and this can help cut down on their emissions. If your employees must go into the office then encourage them to carpool, take public transportation, or bike to work. A hybrid schedule may be the best solution so that you’re getting a mix of face time along with offering your staff the opportunity to work from home sometimes. Make sure that you’re equipped to handle a remote working environment by investing in technology solutions that help you stay connected. For example, you may want to get instant messaging for your company and use video conferencing as a way to hold meetings when your employees are working at home.

Upgrade Your Lighting

It’s also a good idea to take a deeper look into your office setup and environment. Of course, you need good lighting so that everyone can see what they are doing day in and day out. If you’re in an older office building or haven’t changed your lightbulbs recently then now is your chance to work on upgrading your lighting. Office lights use a lot of electricity so one idea is to install automatic or motion sensor lights that will switch off automatically when the room or area isn’t in use. You should also take advantage of natural light that is easier on the eyes and more appealing. This is something that you should take into account if you’re considering moving offices or building a new office building. You’ll want to have as many windows as possible to help you draw in more natural light. You may also want to consider replacing dated light bulbs with more energy-efficient options. Some of the best solutions for this are LED and CFL bulbs.

Fulfill Your Corporate Social Responsibility

As a business, you’ll want to fulfill your corporate social responsibility. It’s a chance to give back and boost your company’s reputation in the community and business world. Make your company more eco-friendly by supporting various social causes. Check out what types of environmental activities are established in your community and get your company and employees involved in them. You can help them maximize their impact by donating money to them or volunteering your time. It’s also a chance for your employees to come together and use it as a way to offer team-building activities. You may even want to encourage your teams by offering paid volunteering time for employees who choose to support these organizations themselves.

Conclusion

You now have some useful and practical ideas as to how you can make your company more eco-friendly. It will require extra effort and a commitment to doing your part to help the environment. It’s a chance to now only implement more eco-friendly practices but it can boost your reputation and brand awareness in the process.