Saving the planet doesn’t just, well, save the planet – as many companies are learning, going green can cut costs, help marketing and improve employee morale. No wonder many small businesses are giving eco-friendly practices the green light.
From putting timers on computers to implementing recycling programs, companies find that saving energy reduces costs that affect the bottom line. Even better, many consumers prefer to buy from companies that embrace a green philosophy, as it makes them feel that their money’s supporting responsible businesses. When a company switches to hybrid cars or recycled paper, their employees think more highly of the organization to which they belong. Even small businesses who rent their facilities and can’t, say, install low-flow toilets or devote entire departments to reducing their carbon footprint can take small steps that make a big difference.
Perpetual Publishers (www.perpetualpublishers.com), a company that helps small businesses develop digital content, describes several ways that small businesses are cutting costs while helping the environment:
1. Switching to 100 percent post-consumer paper. Businesses can go through boxes and boxes of paper – but high-quality post-consumer paper is available, and can help save millions of trees. Toner cartridges and plastic goods also come in recycled versions.
2. Publishing online. Instead of printing out training manuals, employee handbooks and other documents, companies can turn to digital publishing. Perpetual Publishers, for example, helps its clients turn ordinary .pdfs into flip-page, digital documents. In addition to conserving natural resources, businesses can include multi-media features and distribute documents to more people than printing costs would allow.
3. Reducing energy usage. Some companies are installing timers that turn off all computers automatically at the end of business, purchasing Energy Star appliances and switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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