As a business leader, you may have already taken initial steps to improve your company's environmental sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint, but chances are there's still more you can do. Fortunately, research shows that what's good for the earth is also good for your business.
In many cases, businesses are hearing the call to increase sustainability efforts directly from their customers, the Obama administration and their partners.
Looking for proof that green can be profitable? Consider General Electric's commitment to green technology and design through their “Ecomagination” division. Tasked with designing environmentally friendly products like light bulbs and aircraft engines - and everything in between - GE is moving full-steam ahead. In fact, they've targeted a sales goal of $20 billion by 2010.
“Green business is good business because, by making your business green, you can pre-empt government regulation, avoid long-run costs, live up to your customer's expectations, and improve your employee expectations and retention rates,” Jill Buck, founder of the Go Green Initiative explained at the 2008 IEEE Annual Meeting.
Prepare for a greener tomorrow, today.
Moving forward, government regulation will most certainly play a growing role in the “forced greening” of companies. Environmental compliance regulations have tightened in recent years and there is no indication of this changing direction. It's best to anticipate the associated costs that will follow these regulations by updating your policies before they become law. Visiting the EPA website is a great way to become familiar with these policies and determine where your business should make updates.
Many non-profit groups have become engaged to help aid companies in the greening process. In the past, non-profits and for-profits have not always seen eye-to-eye. However, new organizations such as The Natural Step and Co-Op America are partnering with for-profits and offering tools for adopting green policies and practices.
Getting started.
The road to “green” may seem daunting to your business, but there are plenty of options available to companies interested in embarking on the journey. Consider doing the following:
- Give your PCs some downtime.
Your employees may not want their computers to go into “sleep” mode, but this energy-saving feature could benefit your company. So, consider implementing a centralized “sleep” control on your network. Experts estimate that - because of the number of personal computers used in the average business - you can cut up to 25% of your energy consumption with this strategy.
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- Recycle whenever (and wherever) possible.
According to Greenpeace, e-waste accounts for nearly 5 percent of municipal waste worldwide, with a significant portion of that coming from developed countries like the U.S. Why? It's simple: due to technological advances, the average computer now has a life of approximately two years - down from six years in 1997 - and the same goes for mobile phones, which typically last less than two years. Now consider the number of computers, mobile phones, BlackBerry’s and other electronic devices the average business provides employees. That's a lot of electronics, and a lot of e-waste when those electronics are upgraded. So, when it comes to these outdated devices, follow the three “R's” - reuse, repair, recycle.
- Upgrade your space - without moving.
If your business owns the building you operate out of, consider installing solar panels, energy-saving windows and fluorescent lights. While these options cost more at the outset, you will recoup your investment over the long-term.
- Automate for the environment?
Most large facilities have already automated building functions like lighting and temperature controls, but implementing an energy management system that centralizes the control of lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning - and having these functions monitored by IT could result in huge savings - in both energy and dollars.
Every little bit counts.
Even if your business isn't currently in a position to make big changes, there are things you can do. Simply powering off your computers, printers, faxes and copiers at the end of the day will save energy. And you'd be surprised how many people leave their office lights burning after they've headed home for the day. So, make going green part of your company's culture - you may be amazed by the warm reception it receives from employees and customers alike.
To learn more about a green workplace and the initiatives in creating a environmentally friendly workplace, contact LHH today at 1.800.611.4LHH
or visit www.lhh.com.
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