By: Christina Nguyen
Happy Earth Day! We hope you’ve been doing whatever you can to help protect the earth we all share.
You’ve probably seen large companies pledge to be more sustainable on their social media, which makes sense as they seek to reduce their own emissions and waste. However, even the smallest company can make a positive impact just by changing a few processes every day beyond going paperless.
Turn off the electricity.
You typically turn off the light when you aren’t using it at home, right? Why not see how much of this you can apply to your business as well. For example, if you have a brick-and-mortar location, observe how often you’re leaving the lights and other electronics on when no one’s around. Take steps to change behaviors and you’ll be more energy-efficient (and you’ll save a little bit on your energy bill!).
Choose eco-friendly vendors and materials.
You can’t completely control the actions of other companies but you can control which ones you work with. For example, you can choose to work with other businesses that have a focus on sustainability as well. For small businesses, options include sourcing goods and services locally and choosing eco-friendly manufacturers, clients, or vendors.
Take advantage of natural light.
If you’ve got a physical office that’s active during the day, you can lessen the load of electric lights on your business by maximizing natural lighting. Some offices appear better lit than others, not because their lights are more powerful but because they’re built in a way to maximize the natural light that’s being let in. Unfortunately, not only are windows often bigger, but they’re also more open. The space is also decorated in a way that’s reflective of its light, multiplying its power.
Recycle your materials.
This one’s more obvious – recycle when you can! Recycle your unwanted paper, packaging — everything you use. Make recycling bins conspicuously visible in your office. Ensure your staff knows the importance of using them by reiterating this in meetings and posting a bold sign by the bins encouraging recycling. Not everyone is the most knowledgeable on recycling, so don’t hesitate to share resources on what can and can’t be recycled safely, whether it’s through a poster or a company-wide email.
Encourage walking and/or cycling to work.
If any of your in-person team members live within a few miles of the office, why not set up an incentive program to encourage walking, taking public transit, or cycling, rather than the usual driving. Daily walking and cycling can have plenty of physical and mental health benefits, such as improving overall endurance and giving you some space to yourself without enduring the frustration of driving through traffic.
As for team members that work from home — they may not need to walk to the office, but you can still encourage them to use more eco-friendly modes of travel in their everyday lives.
These are only a few steps you can take to help your company have a positive impact on your community and our environment. Be sure to make sustainability top-of-mind within your operations — you may be surprised by the long-term impact your actions can have!
How can you encourage your business to be kinder to the earth well beyond Earth Day? Let us know in the comments below!
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About Stingray Advisory Group LLC: Stingray Advisory Group LLC is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is a proud member of Local First and the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We help small businesses grow by providing guidance in financial planning, website development, marketing, and more.
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