If a business wants to be more environmentally friendly it should start by using less energy. No matter if you run a small store or a big office there are simple things you can do to save energy.
Switch to LED lights. LEDs last 25 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs and use about 75% less energy according to Energy.Gov.
You might want to think about getting smart thermostats. Nest and Ecobee are two examples of devices that change the temperature based on how you live your life. This is an easy change that could save you at least 10% on your heating and cooling bills.
Of course the three R's. They are still just as important today especially for companies that want to be more eco friendly.
First cut down on the amount of paper you use. Digital invoices and e communications are not only good for the environment but they are also cheap and fast. Tools like DocuSign make it easy to get rid of paper contracts.
When you want to use something again think about your office supplies. Do you have old tools and furniture? Don't throw it away fix it up. Many businesses in Dallas fix up old office equipment.
This one is about not just thinking about what you have to do every day. Where do you get your goods? Are they good for the planet? Getting materials that are good for the environment can help you cut down on your carbon footprint a lot.
If you work in retail for example you might want to think about selling brands that are good for the environment. Companies like Patagonia are at the top of their game because they sell products that are good for the environment and made in a fair way.
Think about both the products and the partnerships. Find Dallas suppliers who want to be more environmentally friendly just like you do. This is good for the area's economy and often lowers the amount of carbon emissions that come from transportation.
During the pandemic working from home became popular but it's also a way to be more eco friendly. Less commuting means less pollution and traffic. It can also help you save energy by cutting down on the amount of office space you need.
A study by Global Workplace Analytics says that U.S. businesses could save more than $700 billion a year if they let their workers work from home half the time. That's a good reason to think about making work policies more flexible.
Provide your teams with the tools they need such as Slack for working together and Zoom for video calls. This gives workers everything they need to do well while they work from home.
The last step is to make your company's culture include sustainability. It's not enough to just make rules you also need to get your team to care about and practice being environmentally friendly.
Hold regular seminars or workshops on how to be more environmentally friendly. You could even ask people from groups in your area like The North Texas Green Council to speak. This keeps the conversation going and teaches your staff.
Give people reasons to suggest ways to be more environmentally friendly. Did someone in their department figure out how to make less waste? Give them credit and a prize for that. Simple things that show you care can go a long way toward boosting morale and protecting the environment.
Right now it's not about doing everything at once. It takes time but each small step makes a big difference. You might not believe it but these habits could help you save money in ways you never thought possible.
Sustainability is more than just a box to check. It's a way for businesses in Dallas to get bigger come up with new ideas and be strong. The business community in Dallas is strong and the city can be a model of sustainability in Texas as more and more companies go green. Do you think it's time to start?
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