Happy Earth Day! Today, millions of people are inspiring awareness and appreciation for the environment. Do you hear the chants of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” yet? Businesses can go green by using this day as a catalyst to launch sustainable and environmentally-friendly initiatives. Here are 3 ways you can celebrate Earth Day and infuse sustainability into your business's daily operations!
Use Less Paper
Seems like a no-brainer, but think about just how much wasted paper gets crumbled into the trash at the office. A printed email here, a copy of a pdf presentation there. Despite our recent environmentally-friendly endeavours, U.S. businesses still use approximately 21 million tons of paper each year. It’s an outdated practice. Especially when electronic signatures (or even pressing an “Accept” button) are now considered legally binding, thanks to a law passed by Congress in 2000. So why not make a conscientious effort to minimize your paper usage by only printing when necessary and opting to print double sided! Encourage your entire staff to follow suit!
Volunteer in Your Community
Get outside and get hands-on, together! Invite your entire company to participate in a local Earth Day initiative such as cleaning up trash around your city. Make t-shirts, set an incentive, grab lunch together, make it a fun experience!
Make A Commitment
Earth Day is a great time to set the standard for the rest of the year. Review your company’s energy consumption and set a goal for sustainability. If you are already implementing green tactics, find ways you can take it up a notch! For instance, many companies have recycling bins, but they may not be utilized often. Take some time to remind your employees of their locations and encourage using them (perhaps even set up a few more for convenience!) Incremental changes can go along way in setting your office up for a greener future!
Of course, there are countless ways to promote sustainability. Each of which has the potential to have a positive impact on your customer and save your business money in the long-run! See, “going green” is good for the environment AND your bottom line. We call that a win-win!