Going green isn’t just for multinationals and mega brands. Every little helps and you can get your small startup involved right away.
Here are the top six ways you can make your startup go green:
1. Go Casual
I firmly believe in the power of dressing up for work. But being well dressed doesn’t necessarily have to involve a suit. A lot of newer, younger workplaces are going casual to cut down on the need for dry cleaning traditional suits. The chemicals used in traditional dry cleaning are absolutely toxic for the environment. Going casual at work is not just great for the environment, it’s also likely to boost morale.
2. Recycle smartly
Recycling is the least demanding and easiest way to go green at work. Cut down the use of paper as much as you can, but make sure you recycle every bit of paper you can’t avoid using. There are customized solutions for businesses that work with paper, like disposal products for print shops and newspaper outlets. Encourage everyone at work to use the plastic, glass and aluminium products responsibly. Make it easier for everyone to recycle.
3. Encourage a greener commute
This is another simple way to go green at work. Encourage people to carpool or cycle to work. Depending on where you live, your business may be eligible for government tax subsidies when you offer a bike-program to your employees. Make sure you also offer bike parking facilities or a ride home service during bad weather. Biking to work will help your employees stay healthy and productive, as your business goes green.
4. Cut out the energy vampires
All your electronic devices keep sucking energy even when switched off. Everything needs to be unplugged to avoid wasting energy at work. You could go around unplugging everything at the end of the day, but a better way to cut energy vampires is to install plug timers. These timers can cut off the power supply at preset times. This makes it a lot easier to conserve energy.
5. Source local food for the cafeteria
Why have your food shipped from the other side of the country when you can have a local producer serve at your cafeteria. Look for local suppliers and food vendors when hiring out the catering service. It’s a simply way to cut down on the use of fossil fuels while supporting the local farming community.
6. Use better lights
This is the easiest way to go green. Simply swap your light bulbs for LED smart bulbs that consume less energy and last alot longer. Yes, they cost more upfront, but think about all the money you’ll save on your energy bills at the end of the month.
These six simple steps can help your startup work efficiently and go green.