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Kermit said it first: it’s not easy being green.
With the 46th annual Earth Day upon us, you might have considered making your small business more environmentally friendly and just haven’t gotten around to it. Or it might sound expensive. Or maybe it sounds a bit too hippie for your taste. Still, you probably have been asked about it a time or two by your clients, who are increasingly making their purchasing decisions based on where you stand.
One of my clients is a builder and often says that if you build well, you build green. So many of the materials and techniques builders use now are safer and more conscious of the environment.
But what if you’re in an old building or you want to do even more to reduce your carbon footprint, even if you occupy a green building or lease commercial space?
These changes will be worth it over time. Some of them may cost more initially, but sticking to the status quo often costs more in the long run:
1. Educate yourself with SBA’s Energy Efficiency Guide for Colorado Businesses and learn about incentives to go green with Colorado Financial Incentives for Renewables and Energy Efficiency.
2. Consider an energy audit to discover where you can make changes and get the most bang for your buck. Many local utilities provide free on-site consultations on how to use less fuel or electricity.
3. As plumbing, HVAC, windows or other technology fails, consciously replace it with more energy efficient versions.
4. Change out light bulbs, which pay for themselves quickly in cost savings.
5. Switch to post-consumer waste paper, paper products and packaging. Whenever possible, skip paper entirely, but if you have to print, make sure you are using eco-friendly paper.
6. Use biodegradable cleaners that also reduce your exposure to harsh toxins and chemicals.
7. Buy mugs and water bottles with your company logo for employees, which will reduce landfill waste. And staying hydrated is important!
8. If you are leasing a commercial space, talk to your landlord about instituting a recycling program or managing energy consumption.
9. Purchase “green power” that’s generated from renewable energy sources from your current utility provider.
10. Finally, set goals for sustainability that are more ambitious as you grow.
Over time, these changes will position you as a company that cares about corporate social responsibility, which has the potential to win customers and positively impact your bottom line.
Good luck and let me know if I can be of any help.
By Blair Koch
