Build a More Energy-Efficient Business

Kate Supino

April 02, 2015

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Corporate waste has proven a big contributor to the problem of landfills.

A standard landfill is made up of 31% paper. That's paper that could have been recycled, but instead was tossed into the trash.

To their credit, many companies started mandatory recycling programs, but there is still a long way to go.

And if you're no longer working for someone else, have you forgotten the importance of recycling and energy savings? If so, you're missing out on a big chance to save money.

The more you concern your small business office with the business of being green, the more ways you can save on expenses.

Here are some ways being green and energy efficient can pay off financially….

Go Paperless

A 100% paperless office is nearly impossible unless you can convince the mailman to stop bringing you mail. And in any office, there are some forms that have to be printed out, contracts that need wet signatures, and photocopies that need to be mailed.

But there are plenty of opportunities to drastically cut down on the paper tiger.

Convert all your financials to online-only, accept only emailed submissions from clients, and do all your recruiting online and in-person; never with paper CVs.

Going paperless reduces your paper, toner and ink expenses. Considering that one small vial of ink can cost $50, this move to paperless seems a no-brainer.

Shut Down

No, don't shut down your small business; shut down your office hardware at night.

The days of saving your hard drive by keeping it on 24/7 have gone the way of letting your car warm up before you drive it. Neither is necessary anymore.

Turn off your computer and all your peripherals after hours to save a bucket on energy. If you're concerned about power surges overnight, unplug as well.

First thing each morning, turn everything on again and let it boot up while you make the coffee for yourself and your staff member, you.

Make sure you don't neglect your backup routine. Run it just before you're finished for the day or before you're ready to get busy in the morning.

Consider Your Environment

Just like your home, you don't want expensive heating and cooling to be escaping through drafty windows and doors. Make sure your home office is insulated properly from top to bottom.

If you live in Massachusetts, you can take advantage of some state tax credits for converting to energy efficient appliances and energy sources.

As the following article shows, “Massachusetts places 5th in best state for energy-efficient construction” means many small businesses there and elsewhere are looking at their overall impact on the environment. That also means there are lots of contractors out there who will know how to help you get the most efficiency out of your home business office.

Being energy efficient in your home business office is little different than being energy efficient in your home.

Take similar small steps and you'll find that big changes can be seen on your energy bills.

Turn lights off when not in use, close the door if your window air conditioner is running, and wear a sweater if you're chilly. Don't leave the earth's health up to the big corporations.

As you now know, the future of the environment means every small business owner needs to do their part too.