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There are many advantages to becoming a more environmentally friendly business. Of course, the obvious one is that it will help to keep the planet alive. But, being greener could also save you money, and it will definitely help you to build a positive reputation attracting more customers and better staff. It’s certainly worth doing. 

But, one problem that many small businesses have when it comes to making some eco-friendly changes is that they aren’t sure that it’s worth it. How can their tiny business compete with what much more substantial firms are doing? Could their small changes make much difference? Will it be more trouble than it’s worth? 

Well, if everyone thought like this, there’d be no hope for any of us. No one would bother making changes at home, no one would do their bit, and things would never improve. On the other hand, if everyone makes an effort, who knows how much difference could be made? So, with that in mind, here’s a look at some of the easiest ways that your small business could become greener.

Recycle and Reuse

You’d be amazed at how much you can recycle. You might already think of recycling paper and plastics. But, there’s so much more that you can do. First, ask yourself if you can reuse or repurpose things before you throw them out. Old paper can be used for notes and scrap, for example. You might even be able to return empty containers and supplies so that they can be reused. If you use oil from gasoildrums.co.uk, you can return your empty drums, you can also return printer ink cartridges, and some suppliers will accept pallets, boxes and other delivery supplies. 

Be Mindful

A big part of recycling and reusing as much as possible is being mindful. Think before you throw things away, get into the habit of asking yourself if there is anything else that you could do. You should also be mindful when using lights, water and other utilities. Do you need it? Stop taking things for granted and start being more aware of your usage, and you’ll want to use less. 

Stop Printing

One of the largest wastes in business is paper. We still print all of the time, even though most of our documents are saved on the cloud, and can be carried around on your phones or iPads. We print out of habit. Start printing less or avoid it altogether, and you’ll save a lot of paper and money. 

Encourage Good Habits and Lead By Example

If you employ staff, you should encourage them to follow your good examples, use power and supplies mindfully, and to make their own suggestions on how to be greener. You could also come up with rewards for staff who cycle to work and spend some time with your employees coming up with car-sharing schedules, perhaps even completing your staff schedules to make sharing easier for them. 

Plant Some Trees

Saving power and using less is fantastic. But, you could also put something back into the environment. If you have any outdoor space, plant some trees and plants, getting your team involved. Alternatively, as a team, volunteer at a community garden.