How Businesses Can Become More Environmentally Friendly

By February this year, air pollution levels had already exceeded the legal limit in London. This is alarming considering that only recently the toxicity in air pollution was linked to a child’s death in the capital. Not only does pollution have a detrimental effect on people’s health, but it also contributes to global warming – damaging earth as we know it. It’s clear the stakes are higher than ever with people’s lives being directly at risk, so responsible business owners need to be thinking more about what they can do to lessen their impact. Read on for more information on how businesses can become more environmentally friendly:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

With rapid advancements forever progressing modern technology, it seems appropriate that we utilise it to benefit the environment. For example, the idea of a business going paperless 10 years ago would have sent a company into despair, but now, it’s an easily achievable solution to business waste. Request emails instead of letters and transfer your filing system by having files saved electronically on a secure drive. In many instances, it’s actually more secure for the business to keep sensitive documents on a computer with backup capabilities anyway, as there’s less chance of them being damaged or stolen.
Furthermore, encourage recycling in the workplace. Have designated clearly labelled recycling bins to promote recycling amongst workers. You could also upcycle old office furniture to give it a new lease of life. An excellent way to save the business money, and also helps the environment.

Combat Pollution

Pollution can be extremely harmful to an employee’s health, particularly if you are a business located in a city centre. Business owner’s need to consistently evaluate hazardous aspects of working life that could impact their staff. This includes indoor pollution. It could be beneficial to install stainless steel ductwork for larger companies to have more control over the air quality and temperature in the building. This will ensure employees are operating under safe conditions, improving their overall health and wellness. In turn, this could lead to them taking less sick days and becoming more motivated.

Monitor Energy Usage

Another easy way to sustain an environmentally friendly business is to implement restrictions on energy use. This could be something as simple as turning all equipment off at night by the switch instead of leaving it on standby. You could also introduce energy saving lightbulbs which can greatly reduce your waste over the coming years. If staff spend too much time indoors, in offices or warehouses for example, it can become dull and depressing. Try to choose daylight lightbulbs to emulate natural light as this is beneficial to your staff because they create a more bright and positive work environment.

A Environmentally Friendly Future

Every business should look into ways they can help the environment, both for the benefit of their employees and the planet. If a business is operating from an industrial site or city centre, it is particularly advisable that they evaluate their practices as they are most vulnerable to pollution that could affect their employees’ health. On the whole, a company should be more aware of their carbon footprint as they have a responsibility to protect the environment for a better future.