Energy consumption on a global scale is at an all-time high - that's why it's important to think about upgrading to a "green" standard. Not just for your life, but for your business as well.
Upgrading to green helps your bottom line (your pocket) in the long run.
•Conserving resources? Check.
•Cutting down on waste to save money? Check.
•Increasing your profits by reducing said waste? Double-check!
There's no shortage of green advocates that burn to preserve the planet. After all, we live here, right? And we want our great-great-grandchildren to live here, too.
The following are some simple ways you can implement energy-saving, money-reducing, world-helping methods into not just your life, but also your business.
Plus, your customers and clients will appreciate this since we all love being thought of as responsible and Earth-friendly. These tips are:
#1. Go Local
When you're in the market for new suppliers - go with those who accept mailed packages for reuse; greener is better. It's also standard practice -- in the quest for becoming environmentally conscious -- and logical.
If your suppliers and providers travel longer distances just to get to you, the more energy, gas, and time is spent. This is not good at all.
Going local doesn't help just the environment - it helps people in your community. People you know - and trust.
#2. Not Using It? Shut It Off!
Turn off equipment when it's not being used. This can reduce the energy used by 25 percent. Turning off the computers at the end of the day can save you an additional 50 percent and not to mention saving your company over $2.8B.
Believe it or not, something as simple as turning off all computers in the office when the cleaning crew comes in for the graveyard shift saves up to 50% energy.
This is because most offices (and buildings) never turn off their equipment. Aside from turning off your equipment when not in use, switching to energy efficient equipment is a huge advantage to your bottom line.
Which, down the line, should be reducing your carbon footprint.
#3. Switch to LED Immediately!
Are LED lights more expensive? At the outset, yes. But LEDs have shown to last monumentally longer than regular bulbs AND CFLS (compact-fluorescent), and use an incredible amount of less energy.
Let's do the math on this for a bit. Math is boring, I know but when it comes to keeping money in your pocket, I can't think of anything more interesting!
Luckily, this LED Savings Calculator does the math for you! Just put in the wattage, price per unit, and lifespan plus the hours you'll be using the LED lights and this nifty calculator will do all the calculations for you.
#4. Recycle the Old
Recycle everything under the sun that you can; the point here is to think green. Think green when buying items, and when you're replacing them.
Thinking of getting more furniture? Why not opt for used or vintage furniture? You get hundreds, if not thousands off the retail price and with a little thorough cleaning, they can be good as new.
Not only will they make your home or office look like new, you'll be happy with yourself for saving money. Try out sites like Craigslist or Kijiji for all your needs.
#5. Make the Best of Green Hosting
Believe it or not, there's a hosting service that's taking the world by the storm. Maybe you know about it -- I didn't until now because I've been living under a rock -- it's called green web hosting.
What is green web hosting? To put it frankly, it's for webmasters who plan to save as much energy as possible.
How? By using servers/machines that use as less energy as possible. These machines get power from wind and solar power, and other forms of renewable resources of energy.
This is seriously putting a dent in the use of coal/fuel to produce energy.
#6. Reasons to Refurbish
Old microscopes that are no longer useful, can actually be restored. Believe it or not, refurbishing surgical microscopes can save up to 50% compared to brand-spanking new equipment.
How isn't this wonderful? A $10k equipment will cost around $5k and will function as new.
When it comes to brain or liver surgery, this is a monumental ordeal. Half of lives saved? Imagine that it's your loved one that's going under the knife. Wouldn't you want those odds? It's certainly better than 5% or 10%.
Waste is another problem - refurbishing is the solution. Often, the case is "use it once and toss it."
No, no, no! If anything, an eco-friendly method of using items over and again includes:
•Glass
•Plastic cups
•Ceramics
All beating out Styrofoam cups. Which makes sense. How long does it take to clean a cup or bowl? Ten or fifteen seconds?
Cleaning up spills with a cloth and rag -- $0.25 a piece at the local Dollarama -- instead of throwing a paper towel. Again, just toss the rag/cloth in the washing machine on laundry day. No muss, no fuss.
Use metal forks, knives, and spoons instead of plastic ones. Yes, washing utensils and bowls is annoying, but it's a part of daily life.
Washing these and more takes at most, five or ten minutes from your day. And it helps prevent the Earth from being poisoned even more which is a pretty big win.
#7. Travel Eco-Friendly
Given that thousands of people take their own private, fuel-hog vehicles everywhere -- spewing tons of carbon emissions that harm the environment -- it makes sense for people to take a healthier alternative - like walking (which has been shown to reduce body fat), cycling (which works your legs and gives you sexy leg-guns), carpooling, or taking the bus.
In fact, some businesses in the U.S. give their employees bonus payments for taking up property that's closer to work.
Final Thoughts
Have I just obliterated every single objection you've had against going green? Good.
There is no reason for you in this day and age for NOT going green. So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of the advantages.