Improving Business Sustainability in Ten Easy Steps

Companies have a recycling policy or receptacle within the office, but few utilize recycled products. Recycling is a two-way concept and only works if people purchase recycled products. Usually, employees will not realize they are using recycled products such as printer paper, drafting pencils, and paper cups. Companies save additional revenue by utilizing recycled packaging materials when shipping or manufacturing products.

Manufacturers and government agencies may provide a small incentive discount to encourage business sustainability efforts. Using recycled materials saves valuable natural resources, for example, one ton of recycled paper saves 7,000 gallons of water, 60 pounds of pollution, 4,00 kilowatts of electricity, and 30 trees. Glass and plastic are common materials most businesses use on a daily basis; however, recycled glass and plastic take 40 and 70 percent less energy to produce. Using recycled aluminum cuts energy consumption by 95 percent.

Recycling does not have to be a large-scale project, as using one ream of recycled paper saves 5 tons of carbon dioxide from entering our ecosystem. Businnesses can increase business sustainability by reducing the amount of recyclable products that are thrown away and by purchasing remanufactured products to improve business sustainability. City and government agencies encourage the use of recycled materials, and the nearest Chamber of Commerce could be contacted for a listing of companies that produce recycled goods.

Increase profitability and business sustainability by reducing the amount of energy your organization consumes. Workstations, servers, copiers, and air conditioners utilize a great deal of energy, which costs a company money each month. It is a myth that computers use less energy if left on 24/7 compared to being turned off when not in use. Windows and Mac computers can be programmed to turn on - and off - at specific times. For example, all workstations automatically shut down at 6 p.m. and turn on at 7 a.m., when most employees are at home.

The modern cubicle is the biggest threat to your business sustainability efforts, as it has several electronics on at one time, including printers, speakers, chargers, and other peripherals. Everything plugged into an electrical outlet consumes energy, whether it is on or not. Use power strips with on/off switches to shut down peripherals when not in use, such as after hours. Place computers on standby mode rather than using a screen saver to reduce energy consumption. Ensure other peripherals, such as printers, copiers, and industrial equipment are Energy Star compliant.

Increase profitability and business sustainability by monitoring heating and air conditioning usage. Set the thermostat to a comfortable 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. Ensure employees or managers cannot override the system, which prevents excess usage and inner office conflicts.

Telecommuting is becoming a popular alternative for companies that use computers and telephony for the duration of the workday. Telecommuting offsets costs by having the employee use either their work laptop or home computer to conduct business in their residence, typically in a dedicated home office. Telecommuting full time does not make sense for most workers, however; having an employee work from home one or two days a week saves the company transportation reimbursements in addition to the energy and resources the employee uses on site. The initial expenses of administering a telecommute program may outweigh the potential savings, depending on the employee's compensation plan.

Increase business sustainability by reducing the amount of electronic waste your office produces. Purchase extended service contracts for your equipment with on-site service to avoid shipping materials and costs. Instead of buying new ink cartridges or toner, consider using a cartridge refill program or recycling the containers at an office supply store.

The main problem with computers is that they cost more to repair than to replace, which is why it is not uncommon for companies to get rid of older malfunctioning technology for newer products. Consider using an electronics buyback program to sell the used equipment and apply the profit to your new equipment. Larger vendors have internal programs of this nature for the companies they serve.

Surprisingly, businesses spend an alarming amount of money in areas of the office that are not in use all of the time, such as break rooms, bathrooms, stock rooms, and unused rooms. If each room has a thermostat, ensure that they are turned off in all of the unused quarters. Additionally, turn off any lighting or electronic devices that may be turned on, such as computers, projectors, and telephone equipment. You can increase business sustainability by turning off all nonessential items whenever possible.

If your organization has a break or recreational room, stop providing paper products for your employees to use. Encourage them to bring their own Tupperware, silverware, and cups to use each day to improve the company's business sustainability efforts. Consider buying each employee his or her own cup to use for coffee and water. If you must use paper products, ensure they are biodegradable. Unplug coffee makers and other kitchen accessories when not in use.