Being eco-friendly is all the rage right now, and you probably think that you should do the same with your company. There’s just one obstacle standing in your way – you think that going green is expensive and that you cannot afford that.

Nothing is farther from the truth than that. Going green is not always simple, but it doesn’t have to be all that expensive and time-consuming. 

Let’s take a look at how you can green up your company without going out of business.

Turn off equipment

In order to conserve energy, you need to change the mindset of the employees in your organization. Make it a rule to turn off the equipment that is not in use. By doing so, you can reduce the usage of energy by 25 percent. For the best results, turn off the computers after work hours and save an additional 25 percent.

An even better way to save energy is to switch to Energy Star appliances. Look for the yellow tags when you’re purchasing your next appliance and reap the benefits over time.

Reduce paper consumption in the office

There’s no doubt that printing out and storing documents can be a great way to stay organized. The problem is, it’s not really eco-friendly and it only encourages paper consumption. In order to become a green company, try to encourage communication by email, and print out only the most important messages. You can also post reminders to motivate employees to think twice before they use the copy machine or a printer. 

Another way to reduce paper consumption in office is to encourage on-screen reviewing and note-making. Also, try to print double-sided documents whenever possible – it’s better for your wallet and the environment.

Add natural lighting

Natural light has numerous benefits. It boosts comfort and productivity levels, and it prevents various diseases. The easiest way to make your workers feel happy and healthy while saving money at the same time is to make a one-time investment by introducing the skylights. 

Don’t worry, skylight installation is quick and cheap (at least, if you compare that investment with paying big bills in the future), and it will do wonders for your workers, as well as plants in the office. 

Plants are some of the greenest add-ons you can introduce to your office space, and given how they can benefit both the employees’ health and the environment, you should definitely consider getting some indoor plants.

Replace light bulbs

If installing the skylight is not an option, then you might consider replacing old light bulbs with CFL and LED bulbs to help create a more energy-efficient office space. These bulbs last much longer than standard bulbs, their glow is more natural, and they can save you up to even $200 per bulb over time. 

On the plus side, they also emit less carbon dioxide compared to incandescent light bulbs which means there’s lesser environmental impact involved. 

Switch to solar energy

With dropping costs of solar system installation, more businesses are embracing solar energy. In fact, converting to solar power can be a wise investment for businesses located in Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as these places provide optimal conditions for solar generation. 

Other than installing quality solar panels, you want to invest in solar add-ons such as charge controllers and batteries. Also, to be able to convert the stored energy into usable one, you’ll need to get another essential component such as the powerful Sunny Boy inverter. It’ll help maximize solar system efficiency while ensuring optimal performance. 

Going solar will help cut overhead business costs and reduce/eliminate dependency on commercial energy supply sources while bringing continuous financial and environmental returns. 

Refurbish office furniture

You might think that in order to make your office space glow, you need to get some new furniture pieces and throw away the old ones. Unless you plan on redesigning your whole office, there’s no reason to send your old office furniture into the landfill just yet. 

Instead of discarding old furniture, try to give it a new life by restoring it and making it look as good as new, if not better. Refurbishing old furniture is far less expensive than buying a new one, and it’s certainly much better for the environment. Alternatively, you can resell good quality furniture or donate it to those in need. 

Reduce plastic waste 

Start by carrying out a waste audit to see how much plastic waste is being generated. Encourage the use of reusable cutlery and utensils, and make sure there are recycling bins so that waste can be disposed of properly. You can even gift the employees reusable lunch boxes and coffee cups to motivate them to go plastic-free.

If you can’t completely eliminate plastic from your office, then, at least, discourage the use of plastic bottles. Install a water filtration system in the office and save time and money by avoiding the habit of buying bottled water and throwing away the plastic package. 

Serve brain food

Employees are the beating heart of the company, and the most valuable energy in your office is human energy. Keep your team healthy by offering them brain food. Put a couple of bowls with nuts and organic fruits and vegetables around the office and let your workers re-energize whenever they can. 

This is a much healthier option than introducing vending machines that are loaded with processed foods, and it’s a significant step towards maintaining a healthy workforce. 

Use green cleaning products

Everyone loves the smell of a clean office. However, not many of us are familiar with the potential dangers of breathing in toxic chemicals that evaporate after using commercial cleaners.

Instead of relying on cleaning products that cause more harm than good, consider switching to their greener versions. They can be expensive, but they’re also concentrated, which means they will save you money in the long run while also reducing the impact on the environment.

Conclusion

Demonstrate your leadership and your commitment to making this planet a better place to live by doing everything possible to green up your business and keep your employees healthy. Create a safe future for all of us by joining the business leaders who are always looking for new ways to make their companies more eco-friendly.