March 4, 2021
5 Tips to Create a Truly Sustainable Business
Making your business eco-friendly can seem daunting. However, like any large project, the transition to sustainability can be made easier by compiling a checklist of smaller tasks you can complete as time and money allow. As you finish each item on the list, you move closer to operating a sustainable business that not only benefits the planet but also your bottom line.
Here’s a list of five things you can do right now to make your business more sustainable.
- Become energy efficient
Since offices absolutely depend on power, maximizing energy efficiency is a great place to start implementing your sustainable business efforts. Some simple things you can do right now to make a difference in your energy use are to replace any incandescent light bulbs with either CFL or LED lighting, use natural light when possible and turn off machines and computers when not in use.
- Conserve water
When it comes to water consumption, office buildings stand above other buildings by accounting for 25% of overall water use. Since water is a valuable natural resource, conservation should be of primary concern. You can help cut down on water use in your office by repairing leaking pipes, fixtures and seals and by installing water efficient fixtures such as toilets, sinks and water heaters.
- Recycle better
Although roughly 75% of America’s waste is recyclable, we only recycle around 30% of it. Make it easy for everyone in your facility to recycle – just as easy as it is to throw something away. Place recycling bins next to trash cans. And to ensure proper recycling practices, post signs near waste bins with a list of what can and can’t be recycled.
The EarthCraft™ Dual-Stream Waste and Recycling Centers from Commercial Zone offer waste and recycling disposal in one unit, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking to promote sustainability. Effective and durable in both indoor and outdoor spaces, the EarthCraft™ Waste and Recycling Centers not only help keep your space clean and encourage recycling, the units themselves are built from recycled plastic lumber, which keeps discarded plastics out of landfills and our waterways.
- Break the addiction to convenience
Americans produced 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018. By reducing daily employee habits that revolve around single-use products, companies can reduce their waste production and environmental footprint simultaneously.
Beyond providing clearly marked recycling bins, examine your office and consider all the ways you can potentially reduce waste. Instead of buying single-use cups and water bottles for your employees and customers, encourage people to bring their own cups and refillable water bottles. One way to significantly reduce paper waste is by transitioning from paper towels to hand dryers in kitchen and bathroom areas.
- Focus on green procurement
Practicing green procurement is a great way to ensure your business is more environmentally friendly. Ensure your business is sourcing goods and services that are sustainable.
One simple way to implement green procurement in your workplace is by sourcing sustainably made trash cans and recycling containers. The PolyTec™ series from Commercial Zone is constructed of recycled polyethylene that won’t rust, dent or chip – eliminating frequent replacement and supporting eco-friendly business practices.
To learn more about waste and recycling containers and other solutions from Commercial Zone, contact us online or call 1-800-782-7273.
