Going Green Could Keep Your Company In The Black This Year
Did you resolve to be greener this year? If so, have you thought about doing so in the work place not just at home? Being greener is not only good for the environment but can actually save you and your business money.
Ten easy steps to achieve this.
1. Paper – Do you waste paper? Think before you print that document. Consider electronic storage of documents. Not printing every document will not only save paper but the cost of it too and file storage space.
2. Recycling – We are all getting used to recycling at home, but do you recycle in the work place? Paper, cardboard, toner cartridges, mobile phones and plastic cups, all of which are items commonly used at work can be recycled.
3. Waste – To aid recycling have you considered what receptacles are available to staff? By providing a separate bin specifically for recycled items next to the regular bin can make a huge difference between staff bothering to recycle or not.
4. Computers – Computers emit CO2, shutting it down every night can help reduce its emissions and so help the environment. It will even save you on electricity costs.
5. Lights – Encourage all staff to turn lights off in rooms when they are not in use. Make sure light bulbs are energy efficient too. Both measures help the environment and save you money.
6. Air Conditioning – Turning down the air-conditioning a notch will help the environment and save you money too and probably won’t even be noticed by staff. The same goes for the heating too.
7. Staff Transport – Try encouraging staff to share transport to work or if they live locally even to walk.
8. Business Travel – Are all business journey’s necessary, could a phone call be made instead or a teleconference call. This can help save valuable time as well as emissions. Consider the CO2 emissions of company cars this will help both the environment and reduce your taxable benefit.
9. Email not post – Sending an email will save paper and the transport costs of delivering the post. It can also be more reliable and get there quicker.
10. Tax Advantage – Finally one of the biggest savings you could make is in tax, various initiatives are in place to encourage businesses to be greener. Assets which have low CO2 emissions generally receive extra tax incentives, so do consider going for the greener option it may save you money.
Biggleswade Chronicle - 8 January 2010