As a small business owner, did you know that you can save the earth while cutting down the operational costs of ruining your business?

You could be having some preconceived notions that green initiatives are left for big corporations. This is especially firms that have the resources to use these environmental conservation movements or campaigns as PR projects. But that isn’t true.

You have a role to play, and you don’t have to move mountains to make it work. Furthermore, your business should not suffer.

Being at the forefront of leading a green life on earth is a sure way of enabling your business to leap even forward. Many of these adjustments create a functional and robust team. They also lead to the reduction of the operational costs of running your business.

Here are four steps you can take to make your office green while saving your business some.

Office Space

When it comes to the planning or arranging of your office space, little intentional tweaks can increase the productivity of your employees, while reducing the amount of energy spent during the workday.

Leaving blinders open to let the sunshine in can be enough to light up your office space during the day. It gives you a reason to switch off the lights, which end up saving you energy. You’ll be elated when a low energy bill comes by the end of the month.

But the advantages don’t just end there. It is proven that sunlight helps boost our health and productivity levels. This makes us function even better. We also get vitamin D from sunlight as well. Unfortunately, any unnatural lighting like the ones from your office ceiling does the exact opposite. Besides, another creative way to increase the productivity of your employees would be to set up your work stations around large windows.

Energy Usage

Office equipment, such as computers, printers, lights, air conditioners, and thermostats can use up a lot of energy. As much as the office equipment can be invaluable in helping you and your staff with daily office chores, they are always energy inefficient.

Many times in the summer, the air conditioner is set to trip off when the temperature reaches 72°C, while it can be set to 76°C instead. This can help reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing employee productivity at the office.
Same goes for the thermostat during winter. In the case of lights, led lights are more energy-efficient than their high energy-consuming counterparts. They should be installed whenever possible. Consider using motion-sensitive lights in the hallway and the restroom to save on the costs of energy.

When it comes to computers, use appropriate processing power for the exact role of these computers. Also, when you’re done working on your computer, it is advisable to switch it off to conserve energy. Leaving your computer on standby takes just as much energy as it would need when working on it.

Consider going with cloud solutions instead of having physical data centers that need a lot of power to cool down. Cloud services are currently a lot more efficient and cheaper than their office counterparts.

Only use printers when you have to and when not in use, please switch them off.

Office Equipment

In the case of office equipment, it is advisable to use alternatives that help with leaving a minimal carbon footprint.
Paper is one commodity that everyone uses on almost a daily basis in the offices. In many occasions, pieces of papers are used in large numbers, especially in companies that involve printing as part of their day-to-day operations. Memos, meeting agendas and documents on which deals are signed on, are some of the many reasons papers are needed. But, regardless of this, something can still be done to reduce the rate of using papers in offices.

For environmental sustainability and stewardship, a lot of paper procedures in organizations are going digital. Business transactions of varying degrees are becoming paperless processes thanks to new technological devices and services, such as document imaging, tablets, and high-performance projectors.

Employee Training

This is, in fact, the most crucial step in making your office green. Nothing works if your staff doesn’t fully buy into living in a more responsible lifestyle to reduce carbon footprint.

There are ways to educate your employees about the dangers that we pose to our planet if we continue trending on the unsustainable path of life.

This isn’t an easy process. Of course, this new idea requires time to adopt. It is essential to sensitize your employees on the little things they can do to make the office a greener place. Then let individuals warm up to it at their own pace. Lead by example and stick to the plan. Your consistency will be a big motivator that will go towards convincing your staff to pick up the new trend.

Your employees can still help in this green energy journey by reconsidering their mode of transportation when coming to work and back home. They can choose to use public transport, bicycles or the pedestrian walk to work. One of the most practical ways to tackle this is to let your staff work remotely as long as it doesn’t lower their productivity levels.

Finally, keeping your office green may be a legwork, but great results will eventually come with commitment. Once you have chosen to try out this new strategy of a green office, you’ll end up on the right track. It’s a journey of making your office green, one step at a time. Ultimately, you’re making the world a better place for everyone, while at the same time, improving the efficiency of your business.

Go Paperless

Try to monitor the volume of papers being used from all departments to find out those departments that truly need plenty of papers. Get them to use more recyclable papers while the rest of the team or departments learn to avoid printing as much content on paper.

Processes that could be taken online shouldn’t remain as paper procedures. Memos can be sent to via email staff and other parties. Staff should be trained to use projectors, electronic schedulers, online telephone listings, online forms, tablet check-in, and much more.

Add some thought to your choice-making or sense-making when buying notebooks and pens in the office. Instead, go for green-friendly options. The same applies if you sell products. Try to get raw materials transparently and responsibly. There are eco-friendly materials that can be fully recycled. It is advisable to use them for packaging your products.

Try to pay attention to the waste that your office produces. Separate them into different dustbins that are labeled metal, plastic, and paper for better management. This is still applicable in the case of your electronics. Computers, printers, and batteries can be recycled. Therefore, as opposed to just throwing them away, find electronics recycling companies that can help you dispose of your equipment responsibly.

Interested in Going Paperless?
TierFive Can Help

No matter what your existing document management system is, or if you don’t have a document management system at all, TierFive can help you go paperless. TierFive Imaging can help you digitize your existing backfile microform archives, including all kinds of microform, microfilm, microfiche, and everything in-between.

We can help you save time & space, access all your files securely, locally, or through the cloud, and help enable your remote workplace by putting all of your organization’s files at your fingertips with a simple online quote or call to +1 (888) 547-2267 for a free consultation and learn about how we can help you with your documents.