Since 1970, the United States has celebrated Earth Day on April 22. Intended to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage initiatives addressing sustainable practices, it became a global event in 1990. Working toward a sustainable future has perhaps never been more important.
For company owners and entrepreneurs, embracing eco-friendly business models can have a positive effect on the bottom line while making an environmental impact. Reducing your small business's carbon footprint and meeting sustainability initiatives displays a commitment to the goals championed by Earth Day.
Making Your Green Business Grow
Most businesses aren't able to set up a solar panel farm, erect a wind turbine power, or build a hydroelectric plant. This doesn't mean there aren't other sustainable business practices that are practical, energy-efficient, and good for Mother Earth.
Every business is unique, as are its needs and limitations. While it's unlikely that every tip below will be a perfect fit for your business, even a simple change like reducing carbon emissions can make a difference. While achieving net-zero emissions is the goal, every change with a positive impact helps. Some may even fall in the sweet spot of being great for the environment while also acting as a boon for your business.
- Getting Paid To Be Greener - When considering ways to make your business model more eco-friendly, a good place to start is the government. There are green incentives to be found at the federal, state, and municipal levels, and subsidized improvements and tax credits are a great way to make your stakeholders happy. While these programs can and do change, it never hurts to see what's available.
- If You're Going To Talk the Talk, Make Sure You Walk the Walk - You should be proud of any and all steps your business takes to become greener, but don't take credit for things you haven't done. Given the power of social media, being exposed for exaggerating or lying about your green commitment could prove extremely detrimental and cost you revenue. Words like "organic" are defined and regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so if your product doesn't meet those standards think twice before using it.
- Go Ahead, Shorten My Commute - If it's feasible for your business, consider allowing employees to work from home. Lowering the number of vehicles on the road can reduce greenhouse gases and your carbon footprint.
- Make Sure You Have the Proper Permits - This is most important when you're in the process of starting your business. Knowing whether you can put solar panels on top of a commercial building or if your dry-cleaning operation requires special permissions is likely decided by a state or municipal statute, so doing research ahead of time can save you headaches later.
- It Ain't Easy Being Green, So Adjust Your Policies and Have Everyone Pitch In - Not every change needs to be monumental. Asking your employees to turn off lights in empty rooms or not to crank the air-conditioning are small but effective ways to help lower your energy consumption. Expand your recycling initiative and reduce waste from items involving single-use plastics. Be creative - is composting possible? If so, give it a try. Consider your supply chain and what companies you're buying from. If they don't share your commitment to greener practices, is there a viable alternative?
- Upgrade and Improve - How old is your equipment? If you have a delivery vehicle that guzzles gas, is it possible to switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle instead? Is your boiler inefficient and wasteful? Many utility companies offer discounts for equipment upgrades. Besides, what business couldn't use more efficiency?
- It's Greener in the Cloud - Some businesses require a cadre of servers to meet their tech needs. The energy required to power these systems is often substantial. Shifting storage to a cloud system isn't a fit for everyone, but if possible can be a viable alternative.
- The Problem With Paper - The amount of paper used in the work environment is staggering. In 2022, offices in the U.S. used an estimated 12.1 trillion pieces of paper. While contributing to deforestation to keep up with demand, paper and paper waste accounts for 26% of the volume in landfills. In addition to recycling as much paper as possible, try to purchase recycled paper and avoid products with wasteful paper packaging. Reuse paper when you can.
The Smallest Effort Is a Step in the Right Direction
Everyone wants their business to succeed. While a full commitment to every green practice available might not be possible, every little bit helps. As another sustainable planet has yet to be discovered, taking care of this one is a matter of the highest priority.
Something as simple as improving your recycling program or turning the heat down a few degrees makes a difference. Embracing the message behind Earth Day means a better planet for all of us.
Related Resources
- Environmental Laws Small Business Owners Should Know About (FindLaw's Business Laws and Regulations)
- Starting an Eco-Friendly Business (FindLaw's Starting a Business)
- Mother Nature, Legally: Top 7 National Parks Laws (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
