The energy involved in every aspect of running a business, from keeping the lights on to travel emissions, means that reducing its environmental impact will always be an excellent way to save money - not to mention the planet.
And with the integration of digital technology, making changes has never been easier - with SoGlos rounding up some simple ways to reduce your costs, as well as your corporate carbon footprint, with benefits for both employers and employees.
Carbon offsetting with Climate Conscious IT
In 2022, Gloucester based Optimising IT launched a range of Climate Conscious IT plans, allowing customers to offset carbon with certified carbon credits and tree planting programmes as part of their IT support service.
Going further still, Optimising IT can also supply low energy carbon neutral laptops and help reduce companies' energy consumption by maximising their use of the cloud, for both immediate and lasting environmental impacts.
Carry out an energy audit
Sometimes, it's easy to see where improvements can be made to make your business more energy-efficient, like switching to LED lightbulbs. Other times, the wastage isn't quite so obvious.
Carrying out an energy audit will not only show you where savings can be made, but help with formulating plans for how to achieve them too, like introducing water hippos or even investing in solar panels to bring costs down in the long run.
Buy second-hand furnishings
Fast fashion has recently come under increased scrutiny, leading to renewed interest in second-hand clothes, but businesses can also save themselves money by opting for second-hand furniture and equipment, while saving it from landfill.
Whether you need desks and chairs, or to revamp your meeting room or reception area, you can find top quality pieces from famous brands and (as an added bonus), won't have to factor in lengthy delivery lead times.
Let employees work from home if they can
While many businesses are still seeing employees take advantage of more flexible working arrangements post-pandemic, there are advantages for employers, as well as employees.
Flexible working can help keep employees loyal and some companies have managed to downsize their office or sublet spare space, while others have been able to reduce their overheads with fewer people in and fewer computers to power.
Switch to veggie or vegan catering
Not only are meat-based options more expensive, vegan and veggie options are better for the environment too. Studies suggest meat production is particularly polluting, with methane emissions from cattle especially significant.
So next time you have to organise the catering for a work event, consider plant-based alternatives and help employees and delegates hit their ‘five-a-day’ while you’re at it!
Go paperless
Not so long ago, double sided printing and recycling bins aimed at reducing paper waste were the best anyone could hope to achieve in the workplace, but paperless offices are now well within reach.
From e-signature software to cloud-based storage and systems for invoicing, via sign-in software, digital marketing and magazines, paperless offices are good for the environment, as well as your pocket and can be more secure too.
Introduce some greenery
With indoor plants capable of reducing CO2 levels by up to 10 per cent in air-conditioned offices, introducing greenery could really make a dent in your emissions. And thanks to their ability to lower workplace stress, bringing in some plants could save you money too.
Given that millions of days are lost to workplace stress every year, there are real incentives for businesses to boost employee well-being. Social enterprise Flower & Herb in Cheltenham works with local businesses to create therapeutic spaces for staff by reconnecting them with nature.
Cut down on travel
The pandemic proved travelling for meetings isn't always necessary, with videoconferencing having come on leaps and bounds and uptake rising dramatically.
With travel a major contributor to carbon emissions and the cost of petrol and even train tickets spiralling, there are more than just eco savings at stake. However, the planet also stands to benefit from people working from home.
