15 Ways Businesses Can Go Green
10.17.23
Today's companies are finding a variety of ways to go green, from recycling programs to initiatives that help businesses provide products and services in a more sustainable way. Becoming an eco-friendly business comes with a range of benefits, like earning tax credits and boosting brand reputation. Organizations across industries can minimize their carbon footprint by assessing the many ways to become a green company.
Advantages of Going Green
As businesses work to become more environmentally friendly, there are many advantages of switching to sustainable practices. These changes can impact employees by providing a better workspace, and attract business prospects who want to invest in green companies, among many other benefits.
Saving Money
Going green can help businesses cut monthly expenses and save money long-term. Limiting waste by going paperless or using reusable products are some of the simple ways to save money. In addition, offering telecommuting options and switching to more eco-friendly equipment can help organizations save on utility expenses.
Earning Tax Credits and Deductions
The government provides tax credits, deductions, and incentives for companies to go green. Tax breaks and deductions can reduce costs even more, as the incentives help companies continue to implement new green initiatives. One of the tax credits available is the energy-efficient commercial tax deduction that provides credit for qualifying eco-friendly upgrades made to commercial buildings.
Increasing Brand Recognition
Going green builds a favorable reputation among employees, clients, and business prospects. As more modern-day customers become environmentally conscious, offering sustainable options such as paper packaging helps them live a greener life. These initiatives can also be an effective way to promote green businesses, attracting investors and business prospects who want to support green companies.
In addition, businesses can publicly support local and international sustainability initiatives to create an eco-friendly brand image.
What Can Companies Do to Go Green?
Here are the top ways that companies can be more environmentally friendly and do their part to help the environment.
1. Use Less Paper
The cloud enables businesses across industries to limit the use of paper files. Store and share documents online instead of printing hard copies. Cloud-based and digital options can also keep files organized and sensitive information safe.
2. Limit Vampire Power
Vampire power refers to any electronics and machines that are plugged in but not in use, which wastes electricity. It's important to unplug any electronics when not in use to save energy and reduce utility costs as well as limit vampire power.
3. Decorate With Plants Inside and Outside
Live plants add a calm atmosphere to an office space, which allows for more productivity among employees. The color green boosts creativity, which can help team members brainstorm fresh ideas and solve problems effectively. Plants in a workspace also support a brand's recognition as a green company.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Switch to sustainable light sources by using energy-efficient light bulbs. Swap an 84-watt bulb for a 36-watt bulb and maintain the same level of brightness in the office. Energy-saving bulbs use less power, helping companies save money over time.
5. Turn Off the Lights
Instead of using artificial lighting, offices can use natural sunlight as a form of passive lighting. Natural light can brighten up the space for visual appeal and help businesses save on utility costs, plus sunlight can help boost employees' mood and productivity.
6. Recycle More
Many companies use a lot of paper, cardboard, and plastic, so it's important to place recycling bins in various areas around the office. Recycling cans help encourage employees to keep their recyclable items out of landfills.
7. Donate Items
Donating is a great way to give back and live greener, as opposed to throwing away things that are no longer needed. Landfills are filled with items that could have been used. Giving like-new donations to charity helps organizations go green and have a positive impact on their communities.
8. Cut Back on Single-Use Products
Consider choosing multi-use products instead of single-use items. This includes reusable silverware for employees, refillable items such as soap dispensers and spray bottles, and greener office supplies like reusable sticky notes instead of paper ones that are easy to throw away.
Companies can also replace everyday products with greener alternatives. For example, instead of using paper towels in restrooms, offices can install hand dryers to keep unnecessary waste out of landfills.
9. Create Go-Green Activities for Employees
A great way to promote an eco-friendly work environment is by getting employees involved. Work together to create recycling and composting initiatives to ensure everything is sorted correctly. Companies can also host team-building activities focused around volunteer opportunities like beautifying a local neighborhood or planting trees in a nearby park.
10. Host a Green Cause Event
Brands can contribute to their eco-friendly image by hosting green cause events and initiatives. Companies can organize a beach or river clean-up, donation drive, half-marathon to raise awareness, or another event. An important part of these events is partnering with local foundations and environmental charities to promote sustainability.
11. Allow Remote Work
Businesses can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging employees to take public transportation or bike to work, or creating opportunities to work from home. Employees that work remotely can help organizations save on energy costs, utility bills, and monthly property expenses.
12. Improve Packaging
Plastic is one of the major causes of pollution and greenhouse gases. Brands can improve their packaging by opting for sustainable materials such as paper, hemp, or cornstarch. Another goal could be to only create packaging that can be reused, refilled, or recycled after use.
13. Support Green Suppliers
Businesses have the opportunity to collaborate with suppliers and distributors that have the same sustainability goals. The products and services that these companies provide can help brands establish their own eco-friendly solutions to support their green initiatives further.
14. Use Alternative Energy
Alternative energy refers to all energy sources that do not use greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels. These options include using solar power, hydroelectric energy, or wind power to keep the lights on and fuel machines and electronics throughout a commercial space.
15. Install Solar Panels
Save on monthly energy and utility costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar panel-covered parking structures. These options are ideal for rooftop parking or corporate parking lots and provide incredible protection for customers and employees from hail and other severe weather — all while generating renewable energy.
With solar panel-covered parking solutions, organizations can harness solar power and use it to cover their commercial energy costs without relying on fossil fuels. Solar panels work in both direct and indirect sunlight, last for many years, and require minimal maintenance and upkeep.
Go Green With VPS
At VPS, we offer large-scale covered parking solutions to protect assets and vehicles from the elements and UV rays, while also helping companies operate more sustainably. To learn more about our solar panel-covered options, contact us today.