Why Your Business Should Go “Green”

The term “go green” is everywhere. With a large focus on sustainability and climate change, there’s more and more pressure on businesses to change practices and “go green.” What does this actually mean? And is it something your business should focus on?

The push to be “greener” is more than just a trend and is something that businesses need to start paying attention to. There are benefits that extend beyond just being kinder to the environment and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot.

What is a green business?

A green business focuses on sustainable business practices that use renewable resources where possible and have a minimal impact on the environment. These businesses carefully select their suppliers, ensuring they share their core values and follow sustainable practices. These businesses consider the impact their product or service has on the environment and do everything possible to limit unnecessary packaging in both its product and those that come from suppliers.

Should your business go green?

Going green can save your business money. Becoming a more energy-efficient company means that you’ll save money. Switching to compact fluorescent lighting in your office can save you up to 70% on your lighting bill. Going solar will save you even more in the long run and remove the impact of power outages. Opting to go paperless will also save you money on paper, printing, and filing space. These are simple and easy steps that will have a positive impact on the environment.

Positive reputation. More and more consumers are wanting to see what companies are doing to go green and it can sway their decision. Share the changes you are making in an authentic way and you’ll win over the loyalty of your consumers.

Find the right people. In many organizations, it’s the employees who often drive change and start green initiatives; encourage these employees and find new talent that shares these values. It is easy to add a few recycling bins in the office and change light bulbs, but if you have a committed workforce who are passionate about green living, it creates a company culture that will be more sustainable and impactful.

There are tax incentives. Getting tax incentives is attractive to any business owner! Businesses can get tax credits for using solar, wind, or geothermal power. There are also incentives for companies that make efficiency improvements to their HVAC and water heating systems. Depending on where you live, it could pay you to go green.

You create a healthier working environment. When you focus on creating a sustainable, green work environment your employees will notice and they will want to come into the office. Small changes like removing common pollutants from old cooling systems, cleaning or getting rid of carpets will result in a more energetic staff.

Your carbon footprint is reduced. The most obvious benefit of going green is the reduction of your carbon footprint. If, as a business, you foster green practices your employees and suppliers will be encouraged to do so, creating a ripple effect of reducing the overall impact on the environment.

If your business has not prioritized green practices, it’s time to start. The benefits to your business far outweigh the initial effort it will take to implement the changes. By involving your employees and supply chain you will create lasting change that has a positive impact on the environment.

-Laura LeRoux

Photo: fauxels (Pexels.com)