A Greener Business – 10 Steps to Take Today

Have you been reluctant to take sustainable strides? The green shift has outlasted fad status and proven that eco-friendly practices make sense for healthy living, environmental stewardship, and improving a business’s bottom line. If you’ve not stepped into the green world, now is the time to consider what strides you can make to create a greener company, and start to reap the benefits from it.

10 Steps to Take: 

REFLECT ON YOUR PROCESSES: 

1.  Set your standards. Determine your current energy and water use.  Once you’ve established your current baseline, set goals for improvement, and then measure against these goals. Celebrate as a team when you’ve hit milestones. 

2.  Think Hudson.  Choose products and services from Hudson area businesses whenever possible. This reduces energy required for transportation and keeps dollars within the local economy.  As well, it provides additional connections that may produce prospective clients and new acquaintances.

3.  Audit electric use.   Many energy providers offer audits of electric usage. Assessment of lighting levels and light quality relative to the purpose of the space is important. Eliminate lighting of unoccupied or daylit spaces and consider installing occupancy sensors. 

4.  Reduce water use.  Water consumption can often be reduced by up to 50% of your current use. Changing to low-flow toilets, urinals, sinks, and tankless water heating systems has proven to cost-effectively save water.  When considering your landscaping options, choose native plant species to provide beauty with less dependence on sprinkler systems.

5.  Evaluate your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.   Proper HVAC system operation and/or improvements are critical to reducing energy consumption and costs over the life of a facility.  Additionally, preventive maintenance and changing filters are vital to efficiency. 

CONSIDER YOUR PRODUCTS:

6.  Choose windows carefully.   Many technological advances have been made to windows that enhance their heat gain or loss and their ability to offer lighting without sacrificing efficiency. Consider adding window films to improve existing windows’ ability to offer lighting and views, without adversely affecting the temperature of the room.

7.  Select low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) products.   It is increasingly commonplace to consider the amounts of VOC in flooring, carpeting, paint, adhesives, and sealants.  For maximum health benefits, you should also consider the VOC levels in your purchases of furniture, fixtures, and equipment.  A healthier environment means fewer absentee days for your staff. 

8.  Clean can be green.   Cleaning products can have a significant impact on the health of those using your facility as well. Reducing exposure to harmful cleaning substances can improve productivity and even impact employee morale.

DON’T FORGET YOUR PEOPLE:

9.  Green staff mindset.  Create a sustainable mentality with employees by integrating simple green actions; use glassware, compostable cups, and recycling bins and encourage printing on both sides of recycled paper.

10.  Educate customers and vendors.  Help your customers and vendors understand the sustainable steps you’re making. Research and experience shows that the Millennial generation has a greater affinity to those businesses who demonstrate a desire to have a positive impact on the environment. 

Take Increasingly Larger Green Steps and Enjoy the Benefits

These are some great initial steps to making your business greener.  As you consider making changes to enhance your business, consider how you can increasingly incorporate sustainable principles into your decisions.  If you do, you just might find that you have not just taken a step, but a leap to making your world, your people, and your business much better.