Environmentally Friendly Business Ideas
Going green is becoming increasingly popular for businesses as well as individuals---and for good reason. Everyday environmentally friendly solutions will play a large role in creating healthier environments. Businesses can take many steps to minimize their impact on the environment by examining the choices they make every day.
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Reduce and Recycle
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Reduce unnecessary waste by using mugs and silverware instead of paper cups and plastic forks. Recycle paper, plastic, metal, cardboard and other products like ink cartridges. Avoid buying manila envelopes, which can't be recycled, in favor of white paper envelopes.
Buy Recycled
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Choose recycled paper products, from copier paper to notebooks, whenever you can. By doing so, you complete the "recycling loop," committing to buy products made from recycled materials whenever possible, as Santa Clara County, California's website, says. Over time, as the website adds, these choices will increase demand for recycled materials, making them a more available and popular option.
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Digitize
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Refrain from printing unnecessary copies of documents. Keeping information digital whenever possible will save a great deal of paper. Choose anti-glare screens to make reading from screens easier.
Buy Equipment Infrequently
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Buy new equipment, such as computers, only when necessary, choosing energy-efficient electronics. When possible, choose products produced close to home. Donate old equipment to schools or computer donation programs.
Save Power
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Turn computers off at the end of the workday, or when not in use for two or more hours, says Brian Clark Howard on The Daily Green website. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends these practices, he says, as well as turning off monitors when not in use for 20 minutes or more.
Be Fuel Efficient
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Strongly encourage employees to carpool to work, with each other or with people from other companies. Websites such as the Rideshare Directory help people to find others to carpool with. And, choose fuel-efficient company cars, as recommended by the Environment-Green site.
Choose Coffee Conscientiously
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Choose environmentally friendly, and people friendly, fair trade/shade grown coffee to minimize its impact on ecosystems and human beings. Shade grown coffee uses traditional farming methods, including organic practices, that allow coffee and ecosystems to coexist, according to Earth Easy.
Design Sustainable Buildings
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If your business is building a new facility, choose renewable or recycled resources with which to build. Also, consider how the location may affect habitats. Create a building that cools and warms itself naturally, while taking advantage of natural lighting. Solar panels add heat and warmth, while blinds easily block out light. Instead of using air conditioning, open the windows and use a fan if necessary to cool the office. Other factors to keep in mind include pollution output and indoor environmental quality, as the Natural Resources Defense Council suggests on its Building Green website. Consult with an architect who specializes in sustainable design to create an environmentally friendly building.
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References
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- Photo Credit fir image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
