When some people think of going green, all they can see are dollar signs, and not in a good way. They think of the increased costs involved in making the switch. They see only the money being spent instead of considering it an investment into not only their own futures, but everyone else’s, too—as their efforts are ultimately helping make the Earth a better place.
When you’re spending money, it can be hard to picture what the return on investment will be and when it will start coming back. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Check out the list below to see how going green can make some green for your business.
Hybrid or electric vehicle
It’s easy to get sticker shock when you see the cost of a hybrid or electric vehicle, but consider the savings that will result down the road. When gas prices are low, it can seem like by the time you realize the savings, you’ll need a new car—but there are other factors to consider. For example, electric cars don’t need many of the same engine parts a traditional car requires, such as spark plugs, transmissions, oil and fuel filters. This means it will require less maintenance, thus saving you money. Even though a hybrid vehicle will have those parts, its engine runs less often so you won’t have as much wear and tear to deal with.
Don’t forget about the benefit these vehicles bring to the environment, as they produce little to no emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Also, remember to advertise your business on your car to let everyone know your business is environmentally friendly.
Alternative Energy
Swapping to a form of alternative energy can be costly at first, but if you consult with your utility provider, it might not be as expensive as it seems. Some companies can include the installation cost in your monthly utility bill for convenience. Ultimately, the savings from using the alternative energy will pay for the installation. In addition, some states provide tax benefits to businesses that use alternative energy. The Small Business Association also has programs available to help with the initial costs. Smaller changes such as using LED light bulbs or low flow faucet aerator don’t cost a lot to install, but result in savings, too.
Eco-Friendly Supplies
Consider going through your office supply closet to see what can be replaced with an eco-friendly option. Are they made of recycled materials? For example, Pilot offers retractable pens made from recycled plastic bottles. Long-term items you might not even think about such as trashcanswarehouse.com’s trash bins made from recycled milk jugs also are available. Use this same mentality on material that leaves the office, too, such as envelopes, flyers and information packets. It’s important to not only consider whether the materials are recyclable, but their overall impact on the environment.
For instance, Company Folders, Inc. offers high-quality presentation folders (many of which are made from recycled materials) printed with vegetable-based ink instead of petroleum-based inks full of volatile organic compounds that can cause health risks and air pollution. When you keep this in mind, not only will you be doing your part to help the environment, but your customers will notice the steps you are taking to be eco-friendly and appreciate them, as well.
Working from Home
Allowing your employees to work from home will reduce the amount of time off for home appointments, such as waiting for an electrician or plumber. They also will likely be happier employees, which will reduce the amount of turnover you have in your business. This will save you time and money in training replacements. Also, if you set a few company-wide work-from-home days a month, you’ll also save money from the reduction of utility costs on those days.
Going green can be costly at first, but the savings you earn makes up for it over time. In addition, many people are more likely to use your business when they learn about your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint; they prefer to patronize businesses with values similar to their own, and feel using eco-friendly businesses adds to their own contributions to saving the planet. This means you could also see an increase in revenue in addition to all of your eco-friendly savings.