10 Green Resolutions for Businesses in 2012

All businesses have a duty to take action to become more eco-friendly. Raising awareness and making simple changes can make a significant impact. As a new year starts, here are 10 green resolutions for your company to keep throughout 2012 and beyond.

1) Promote Company-wide Recycling
Businesses produce a huge amount of waste. Clearly marked recycling bins should be installed throughout your premises and employees should be reminded of the need to place all suitable waste in them.

2) Discourage Unnecessary Printing
Placing signs near your printers and sending a friendly email reminding employees only to print when necessary can reduce your paper usage. Attaching a reminder to your company’s email signature will spread the message.

3) Encourage Cycling To Work
A large number of companies encourage their workforce to cycle to work rather than drive their car when possible, which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Adding an incentive, such as cycle loan schemes, is a great way to promote cycling to work.

4) Allow Flexible Working
Can your employees work remotely from time to time? If so, allowing them to work from home can reduce your company’s energy consumption long term. Occasionally letting employees work from home also boost morale, which can improve performance and productivity.

5) Hold Conference Calls and Virtual Meetings
Using conference calls and web-based video conferencing for your meetings removes the need for business travel, which reduces CO2 emissions from work-related road and air miles and saves your company money. Only travel when absolutely necessary and encourage your partners and clients to use conference calls and virtual meetings.

6) Ban Personal Heaters
It can get cold in offices during the winter months, but your facilities manager should adjust the heating to maintain a warm working environment. Personal electric heaters consume a large amount of energy and can pose a fire risk, so ban them from your workplace.

7) Encourage Double Sided Printing
Remind your workforce that if possible they should print what needs to be printed on both sides of each sheet of paper and make sure they know how to change the printer settings to do so. This will reduce your paper use, wastage and supplies budget.

8 ) Purchase Recycled Stationery
When it comes to ordering your office supplies, make it company policy to purchase recycled stationery whenever possible. Inform your supplier, who can help you order environmentally friendly stock.

9) Turn Your Hardware Off
Making sure all computers, printers and other hardware in your office are turned off overnight and when not in use can significantly reduce your company’s energy consumption. There really is no need for computers to be left on standby overnight, so discourage your employees from doing so.

10) Turn Your Lights Off
Why leave lights on in empty rooms? Encourage employees to switch lights off whenever possible. Have your facilities team make sure lights are turned off overnight when the offices aren’t being used. Fitting sensors on your main lights can help you with this.

Robert is a business blogger with experience in reducing warehousing CO2 emissions.

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2. Green Your Office
3. Green Building Glossary
4. Chicago Green Community
5. Green Network