This blog post may contain references to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products or services.
More and more business owners are realising the importance of minimising their environmental impact. Nowadays, there are ways to do that while also maximising business profits. Business images are promoted along with a competitive edge. Some of the ways to accomplish this environmentally friendly profit balance are quite simple, while others require more investment. Business owners could use a guide that shows them how the processes work.
Energy Efficiency
When energy is generated and transported to your business, it produces greenhouse gases. This increases your business’s carbon footprint. Becoming energy efficient not only makes that footprint smaller but also saves your business money due to less energy being used. You can conduct energy audits at your business to get a better idea regarding all aspects of your energy use. Comparing and possibly switching energy suppliers for better and more beneficial deals are also good ways to save money. Use energy more efficiently and invest in smart technology to help you with using energy sparingly.
Renewable Energy Methods
Invest in self-generating renewable energy processes. Your business can become independent from the National Grid by generating its own energy. This also lessens your carbon footprint seeing as renewable energy generation is green and clean with no carbon emissions. These energy sources will never be depleted, meaning that you can use them forever. Any extra energy that is generated can be sold back to the grid for extra profit. You can place microgenerators like solar panels, miniature wind turbines, hydroelectric generators, and geothermal technology on your business premises. This also increases your property value and attracts more environmentally focussed customers and suppliers.
Save Water
Like with energy, water is a utility that can be used more effectively to save money. You can arrange to audit your water usage at work to see where you are using, how much water at what times, as well as how much water is wasted at what locations and when. Compare water deals and suppliers to ensure that you are getting the best deal for your money. If needed, switch to a different supplier that offers better benefits for your business. There are different kinds of smart technology that you can use to manage your business water more efficiently.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR)
Reduce the amount of waste that your business causes in all of its processes, including production, packaging, and transport. When you cause less waste, there is less garbage to go to landfills. An effective way to minimize environmental
Less Driving
Drive your car less by walking to work or driving your bicycle. Set up carpooling schedules between co-workers, or take public transportation. This will significantly reduce your carbon emissions. Try to limit the time that is spent travelling by business, whether it is by car or by plane. Your business can invest in hybrid or electric cars that use little to no fossil fuels to function. You can avoid driving altogether by letting your employees work from home.
Buy Locally and Sustainably
Consider buying your production supplies and food used during meetings and functions from local farmers and vendors. Not only does it have an environmental benefit, but you also don’t have to transport everything from far away. This saves the business money as well as reduces carbon emissions produced by delivery trucks and other forms of transportation. You are also putting money back into the local economy and keeping local businesses afloat.
Become B Corp Certified
You can get your business certified as B Corp. B Corp businesses must meet the highest social and environmental standards regarding transparency, performance, and accountability. B Corp certified businesses make sustainably positive decisions in every aspect of their business. From the supply chain and employee benefits to community charities, B Corp businesses have to be sustainable at all times.
Carbon Offsetting
Your business can get involved with an initiative that plants trees to reduce carbon emissions. Carbon offsetting is when a business tries to plant enough trees to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions completely. Your business still produces carbon emissions, but another organisation offsets them. This is a way to eliminate your greenhouse gas emissions and become part of an environmental charity. This method doesn’t reduce carbon emissions but simply makes up for the damage being done.
Conclusion
Various ways that businesses can minimise their environmental impact while maximising profits are discussed in this article. Only a few of the possible ways that owners can make a difference are mentioned. The strategies mentioned include energy efficiency, renewable energy methods, saving water, RRR, less driving, buying locally and sustainably, becoming B Corp certified, and carbon offsetting.
Become an Insider
Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone
The content of this website is for informational purposes only and does not represent investment advice, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security, investment, or product. Investors are encouraged to do their own due diligence, and, if necessary, consult professional advising before making any investment decisions. Investing involves a high degree of risk, and financial losses may occur.