In recent years, the detrimental effects humans have had on our planet have become agonizingly clear. From forest fires to hurricanes, retreating glaciers to rising sea levels, we are nearing a tipping point of no return when it comes to our planet’s survival.
With climate change and global warming now a clear and present danger, nations around the world are at last galvanized in their struggle to prevent further, irreversible damage to the Earth.
As individuals, we all have a responsibility to contribute to the on-going struggle to help preserve our environment. However, if you run a company, the impact you can make could be even more significant.
Here are just a few ideas for improving your company’s green credentials while making a positive contribution to the fight against climate change.
Cut back and improve your energy efficiency
Our increasing energy use is one of the biggest contributing factors to global emissions and the build-up of harmful greenhouse gases. By cutting back on your company’s energy use, you could become one small part of a much bigger collective effort to reduce global consumption. Ideas to reduce energy use include:
- Reducing the number of consumables you use
- Updating old machinery and electrical equipment to newer, more energy-efficient models
- Switching off lights, powering down computers and reducing paper waste
Where possible, recycle used products
We are placing an unsustainable drain on the planet’s natural resources. Additionally, the manufacture of artificial substances (e.g. plastics) is causing untold damage through pollution in our seas and landfill around the world.
Recycling products is one of the biggest contributions you can make toward minimizing the damaging imprint humans are making on the planet via pollution. Recycling companies using modern chain conveyors are now able to repurpose even the bulkiest of items – everything from scrap metal to plastics and aluminum. Rather than just putting unwanted/outdated items out to junk, take them to your local recycling center or arrange for collection.
Invest in the technology to allow remote-working
With the recent emergence of Coronavirus, many companies have been forced to allow employees to work from home in an attempt to contain the virus and reduce its spread. If you haven’t already, consider investing in remote IT networks to allow staff to work from home, thereby reducing the pollution caused by workplace commutes and lowering your in-house energy use. Most experts predict home-working will now remain the norm long after the virus has passed, so investing in the tech today will pay dividends tomorrow.
Encourage your staff to car-share
For those employees where working from home isn’t an option, sharing the journey to work can be a great and green solution. Car-sharing isn’t just beneficial to the environment – it can also be a fantastic money-saver for those willing to travel together.
Speak to your staff about how they currently get to work and encourage them to set up a car-sharing rota. Not only will they save money, but they could also form better relationships with their work colleagues.
In summary
The fight against climate change is real and only by taking collective responsibility both as businesses and as individuals will we win the battle. Taking a second to consider ways in which you could improve your company’s green credentials is both good for the planet and, in the majority of cases, good for reducing your overhead too.