4 Simple Ways to Run a Greener Business

There are few things that could have such potentially catastrophic consequences on our planet as climate change. And while people are definitely starting to become more aware and make the necessary changes to combat climate change, the world meteorological organization has released a report that states that climate change has started to accelerate in the past five years, which was also the hottest five-year period on record. Reports such as this one go to show that we still have a long way to go before we start to reverse the damage we are doing to our planet. This means that everyone needs to start doing their bit for the environment and your business should be no exception.

So, to help you get started, today we are going to take a look at four ways to run a greener business.

1. Try going paperless

A trend many businesses have embraced in recent years is abandoning the use of paper and it could also be a great place for you to start running a greener business as well. The positive impact on the environment this can have is indisputable. Namely, the production of paper is highly dependent on trees that are cut in order to produce it. This contributes to climate change on its own but it also destroys the natural habitats of many animals living in areas where these trees are being cut. So, by going paperless, you are also saving the environment.

Additionally, going paperless can also help you improve productivity, save time and foster waste management in your workplace. Namely, modern technologies, most notably cloud storage, can allow you to have all of the important things you would usually keep on paper in a secure and easily accessible location. This will not only reduce the clutter around your office but it will also allow you to spend less time looking for specific documents you need as all of them can be easily located on your drive with a quick search.

2. Implement efficient modern technologies

Climate change has also made technological improvements shift towards a more efficient use of energy and the discovery of new methods to reduce the impact that some industrial processes have on the environment.

For example, the oil industry which is viewed as one of the biggest polluters in the world has started implementing modern equipment which reduce the impact oil extraction has on the environment. Improvements such as these are present in pretty much all modern industries and while they will require a certain investment, they will ultimately be worth the money.

Furthermore, you should take a good hard look at your company and collect data on all possible ways in which you are impacting the environment. This should include a number of things such as how much waste you generate, how much water and electricity you consume etc. The idea behind this is that once you have all of the data in your hands it will be a lot easier for you to paint the bigger picture and figure out the best and most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

3. Engage your employees

Your employees should always reflect the values and beliefs of your company, so a big step towards eco-conscious business is going to be getting all of the people who work for you to start believing in your business going green as well. Some of the best ways to go about achieving this are by organizing presentations with the goal of increasing awareness and also by implementing different rules to help encourage and guide them.

For example, you can come up with a system that rewards people who recycle, take the bus or walk to work, or think of new ways for your company to save money and resources. You can encourage them even more by investing in a bicycle lot and giving them an incentive to use it as often as possible. Additionally, you can even give them the possibility to work from home more often which will make them use their cars less.

Also Read: Ensuring Business Continuity Using Cloud Management

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the fact of the matter is that we are running out of time. We have already done extreme damage to our planet and if we don’t do something, things are bound to get worse. However, the problem is that most people aren’t seeing any real changes to their everyday life which makes them reluctant to fully commit to the cause of fighting climate change. This problem can only be overcome by taking a stance and doing everything you can to make a positive change.

Running a greener business isn’t cheap nor is it easy, however, it’s something that we must do if we wish for our children to have a habitable planet to call their home.

Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is an ecopreneur, consultant, advisor, speaker and journalist with expertise in waste management, waste-to-energy, renewable energy, environment protection, conservation and sustainable development. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe. Salman is the Founder of EcoMENA, a popular voluntary organization based in Qatar. He is also the Founder and CEO of BioEnergy Consult, a reputed consulting firm active in biomass, waste-to-energy and waste management segments.
Salman is a professional environmental writer with more than 350 popular articles to his credit. He is proactively engaged in creating mass environmental awareness in different parts of the world.
Salman Zafar can be reached at salman@ecomena.org or salman@bioenergyconsult.com

salmanzafar.me