- Rent IT equipment rather than buy it
If you tend to use laptops, iPads, projectors and other IT equipment fairly sporadically, consider hiring the technology you need rather than buying it outright. It can be cheaper as there’s no big upfront cost, easier to manage (monthly payments) and, of course, better for the environment (less energy use)
- Set a mission statement
What do you want to achieve through your sustainability strategy? Ask the key stakeholders in your company who are involved and come up with some ideas, then work on developing a mission statement that encapsulates, in just two or three sentences, what your green initiative will look like and how you’ll get it going
- Recycle, recycle, recycle
Companies produce waste, and always will do in some capacity. But there’s a lot you can do to bring the amount of waste down and reduce how much you send to landfill – which, don’t forget, costs money. As much as 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled, so start doing so today
- Mindfully reduce your energy bills wherever possible
Hiring rather than buying IT equipment is a great way to start reducing your energy consumption. But there are plenty of others – from turning the heating off at the weekend when no-one’s working to shopping around for a new provider. The Carbon Trust says businesses could save at least £1.6 billion a year by adopting smarter energy practices
- Small changes help
As well as making sweeping changes to your sustainability efforts, don’t forget that even small changes can make a big difference. Whether it’s printing on double-sided documents rather than single to save paper, recycling your printer toner and cartridges or turning the basement light off when it’s not being used, start small and work from there
- Invest in sustainable projects
What’s going on in your community? Take a look around – there’s bound to be some environmental and sustainable initiatives you can get involved with, whether it’s volunteering for a few days at a local charity or starting a sponsorship project
- Allocate resources
Becoming a sustainable company might require investment – of money, commitment and/or time. While, in the long run, a sustainability strategy should actively work to save your company money and have a positive impact on the environment, you should be prepared to invest – financially and physically – at the outset
- Green-ify your distribution network
Delivering products costs money – and it costs a heck of a lot of energy too. If you manage your own delivery fleet, could you upgrade to some electric or hybrid vehicles? Could your products be delivered by bicycle? Or you could choose to work with providers and suppliers with a green initiative to provide a link in the sustainability chain
- Assign a green advocate
Going fully sustainable is about cultural change. To that end, assigning someone (or a team of people) within your company to spearhead your green drive is a great way to embed sustainable thinking in your business. This person, or group of people, will take charge of your sustainability strategy, setting goals and communicating progress with employees
- Look for opportunities to improve
Going sustainable doesn’t just mean setting a few goals and doing your best to achieve them. That’s just the start. Always try to look for opportunities to review your progress, see what’s working and what isn’t – then setting more plans in place for the future
(Source: Irish Tech News)
