How Can Businesses Reduce Their Carbon Footprint?
The “greening” of business. It is a popular topic that has gone from an admirable goal someday to be necessary in the corporate world. Reducing our carbon footprint has a significant impact on our environment and substantially affects a business’s operating costs, bottom line, and view by public opinion. Though it may seem daunting, there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. We will go through eight simple steps below that your company can choose to be well on its way to becoming greener and more eco-friendly.
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1: Use Renewable Energy
One primary source of greenhouse gas emissions happens to come from burning fossil fuels for energy. When possible, your business can significantly reduce its carbon footprint by investing in renewable energy, such as solar and wind. Many of these changes may be an investment initially but can pay off in the long term and sometimes even grant you tax benefits.
2: Smart Lighting
Optimizing your workplace lighting is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and electricity bill. Energy-efficient lighting such as LED light bulbs and dimmable fixtures are relatively easy to find and quick to install. Also, remember to switch off lights when not necessary or use automatic sensors. Take advantage of natural light and avoid the adverse health effects from excessive exposure to artificial lighting, including heightened stress levels.
3: Minimize Traveling
Transportation accounts for over a quarter of the total greenhouse gas emissions annually, whether by ground or air. By reviewing your company’s travel practices, you can replace unnecessary air travel with virtual meetings and online training sessions or coordinate carpooling between employees. If your business uses company vehicles, consider choosing energy-efficient models. Try to eliminate fuel use wherever possible. This includes providing employees with the option to work remotely or by promoting biking to work.
4: Reduce Waste
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Decaying waste in crowded landfills releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Take a look at your business procedures and find areas where waste products could be decreased. Use products packaged with less plastic. Minimize printing by transitioning to digital records where possible and using recycling bins for paper waste. Be sure to recycle all ink cartridges or use refillable cartridges.
5: Save Water
A large amount of energy is used to both heat water and process wastewater. Easy methods to reduce water usage include:
Installing aerated faucets.
Lowering your water heater temperatures.
Actively repairing leaks as soon as they are found.
If your business regularly requires large amounts of hot water, you should consider installing a heat recovery system that recycles energy from wastewater. sNot only is this great for the environment, but it will reduce your water bill as well.
6: Use Smart Thermostats
Bad thermostat habits can increase your carbon footprint and your heating or cooling bill. Make sure to adjust your business’s office temperature by a couple of degrees as the seasons change. Using a smart thermostat allows seamless adjustment of temperatures for long periods when people are not in the business or office, such as overnight. Proper maintenance of your heating and cooling systems is an easy strategy to decrease your carbon footprint and reduce costs.
7: Work with Sustainable Partners
Look for business partners who actively do their best to use sustainable practices. When buying resources for your company, try to limit your shopping to local vendors. This is a practice called near-sourcing. Its goal is to reduce the emissions caused by transporting resources to your business. By developing local, sustainable business relationships, you will help hold each company you partner with accountable, and it will help reduce both of your carbon footprints in the long run.
8: Maximize Equipment Energy Efficiency
Make an effort to equip your office with energy-efficient models of workplace equipment like monitors, computers, and printers when purchasing new or replacing older outdated models. Connecting desk equipment to power strips is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint by allowing all technology to be turned off easily at the end of each day.
The question of how can businesses reduce their carbon footprint is asked quite often these days. It will increasingly be as we all move toward a greener and more eco-friendly corporate environment. Luckily, this does not need to be difficult or expensive to do. Through a few changes in habits, and by using more efficient goods, services and learning how to manage energy use wisely, your company can reduce its footprint for the world we live in now and the one we are leaving for future generations. Read more about reducing your carbon footprint here.
Other useful links about Business Energy
EDF Business Energy
Deemed Rate Energy Contracts
What is an Energy Performance Certificate
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