The world has already lost 80% of its forests and are continuing to deplete at a rate of 375 km2 per day; at the current rate of deforestation, 5-10% of tropical forest species will become extinct every decade. – TheWorldCounts
The problem with Earth Day is in the name.
To catalyse change and reverse the damage done to the planet requires an earth day mentality every day. While we’re a far cry from the irresponsible wasting and dumping of the 70s and 80s, more needs to be done in the way of environmental preservation.
Fortunately, there are a few places where one might enforce green practices and policies on a grand scale: corporations.
Few bodies consist of so many people, have the power to inflict change, and influence decisions for people and businesses alike. On the other hand, there are few entities that produce so much waste just to operate. Leaps and bounds could be made if corporations – hundreds, sometimes thousand strong – employed policies that supported global environmental initiatives. Not only would there be governmental bonuses and ratings to gain (ratings that are increasingly important in today’s green-centric society), but corporations would learn to streamline and digitalize many of their operations in the process, which will prepare them for success in the long run.
Helping the environment doesn’t have to be drastic. Little things done by many is a proven method for influencing change – change we desperately need to save the planet. Here are a few ways you can give Mother Nature a helping hand.
Stop printing trees
In many well-intentioned businesses, you may see a box next to the printer stacked high with shredded and discarded paper. While the intention is good, it is an unregulated designation and will probably end up in the same garbage heap if not entrusted to the right recycling corporation.
Try not to print out things unless it’s really necessary. And whenever possible, look for digital or eco-friendly paper as alternatives. If you know you’ll not be able to withdraw from paper use completely, invest in PCW paper, which requires 45% less energy and creates half the waste of traditional papermaking processes. Look for 100%, PCW paper, but if that’s not available, settle for the next highest percentage.
For HR, look for HRM Software that reduce the need to print heaps of employee records. Automating your workload will not only save you precious time in the future, it will benefit the environment, too. The same goes for lengthy insurance policies you have to print out in order to advice your employees. The more insurance policies you can get and view online, the better.
Use eco-friendly cleaners
Shed the misconception that industrial cleaners are necessary to keep a clean and hygienic work space. Using natural, biodegradable cleaning products not only benefits the environment, it will reduce your exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals. Fortunately, green cleaning is a big market, and many stores are stocked with them, so you can make the swap easily.
Subsidize office travel
Offer benefits or subsidize travel to promote the use of public and non-motorized transport. Ask your HR to set up work-from-home days or no-car days throughout the year. There are many ways to encourage people to ditch their cars and petrol dependence from time to time.
While many managers dread the prospect of their employees working from home, productivity qualifiers and the current digital landscape make it easy for people to continue their working life without having to spend time and petrol going to the office. If you’re an SME looking to go green, this is a plausible solution to your environmental needs.
If you’re a business that’s just starting out, try and rent or purchase a lot in a convenient location that’s easy to get to via public transport.
Water and electricity usages
Because people are not paying for these services themselves, conservation tends to go out the window. Arrange for monthly prizes for achieving low costs for water and electricity usages. An example of an award could be where the employees are taken for an office lunch as a reward for conscious usage.
Employ low-wattage LED lights, or refrain from lights all together with an office space with large, open windows that remove the need for overhead lighting.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of office power is consumed by machines that are off, but still plugged into a live outlet. Phantom power, also known as standby power, is a hugely wasteful and unnecessary environmental burden and expense. Automating programs to automatically power down company computers at night are available for anyone looking to cut out this needless waste.
Bathroom and kitchen maintenance
Throw out – or better yet recycle – your kitchen towels and bring in the reusable table cloths. Using multiple sheets to clean up kitchens is an epidemic that should be monitored. Installing Aerators, which give taps low-flow, are also key to reducing water wastage during wash-up.
Finally, if you’re a company that stocks its shelves with coffee, milk and the like for your employees, consider buying in bulk, and think creatively about using jars or dispensers to house the products themselves. As well as a great way to save the need for multiple packaging, it is a sanitary alternative.
There are many ways to go green that are beneficial to companies of all sizes and financial positions. Whether you decide to incorporate 5 or 50 different ways to go green, remember that every little bit counts towards saving the planet and shaping a new society that are conscious of their environmental impact and the role they have to play.