In recent years, several people have looked for ways to live greener lifestyles. Some make large investments like purchasing solar panels, while others make smaller changes like using LED lightbulbs.
However, individuals and households use far fewer carbon emissions than businesses. Businesses, too, should work to reduce their carbon footprint.
Businesses stand to gain tremendously by learning how to reduce carbon footprint numbers. For one thing, going green can improve how customers see your brand. Lowering carbon emissions can also help you save money.
So, how can you reduce your carbon footprint? If you want to reap the benefits this can offer, check out our guide below! There, we’ll explore five ways for your business to reduce its carbon emissions.
1. Remember the Three R’s to Lower Your Carbon Footprint
Since at least the 1970s, people have heard the phrase, “Reduce, reuse, recycle,” for much of their lives. It may seem too simplistic a place to begin.
However, if your business is new to the green movement, this is the essential starting point. These three R’s apply to nearly every aspect of your business. You can utilize these practices in packaging, purchasing office supplies, and supply chains.
Why do these practices benefit your business? Over time, you’ll notice that the three R’s trim down the excess in your company. You can save money by buying fewer duplicates, reusing materials, and finding new uses for used items.
As it stands, your business may not have a reusable alternative. If so, you can start a recycling program at your company. You may be able to partner with non-profits to send recyclable items to them instead of a landfill.
2. Reducing Food Waste
If you use a carbon footprint calculator, you may be shocked to see how much food use contributes to it. Some figures show that 6-8% of greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste.
So, how can your business utilize food recovery to lower your carbon footprint? For some industries, this may require more comprehensive measures.
For example, grocery stores or restaurants may have to experiment with ways to lose their excess food. These could include buying less food based on your average sales in a given time, for instance.
However, if you run an office building or other non-food service business, there are still options for you. For example, do you ever have workplace events catered?
If so, you can cut food excess by investigating the catering company you use. Are they a local business?
If so, these businesses are more likely to support local farmers and their communities. By purchasing from them, you reduce food waste by minimizing the transportation in the system.
You could also start an office compost program, which recycles your food waste into fertilizer. If you have no use for a compost pile, consider finding a composter in your area to whom you can donate materials.
3. Using Carbon Offsets
Have you ever heard of carbon offsets? If not, you may find them useful for your business.
Carbon offsets function as a type of trade. When you buy an offset, you are funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Why are they called offsets? Essentially, you use these purchases to balance out unavoidable carbon-emitting processes.
Let’s say you have a business trip that’s across the country. Realistically, there’s not a green way to get to that destination. Instead, you’ll have to rely on airplane travel, which releases several carbon emissions.
So, to balance out the carbon emissions used in transportation, you can purchase carbon offsets. The only trouble is finding out the number of emissions and their monetary value.
Fortunately, there’s a way to find those answers. You can use a carbon calculator to determine these figures.
There’s even more good news! Some carbon offsets are tax-deductible expenses. When you compile your annual budget, it may be wise to include offset costs in the data.
4. Investing in Renewable Energy
When people hear the words “renewable energy,” they sometimes cringe. To some people, it seems like an obscure hippie term. In reality, though, the renewable energy sector is a vibrant and growing industry.
At the uppermost levels of growth, solar and wind rank as the fastest-growing employment fields in the US. Similarly, electric vehicles are also becoming more prominent, as evidenced by the success of Tesla vehicles.
How can your business invest in renewable energy? Depending on your circumstances, you may make bigger or smaller investments.
For example, if you aren’t on a conventional power grid, you may be able to install commercial solar panels on your roof. This installation could significantly reduce your electric costs or eliminate them.
However, even if such a large step is beyond your means, you can choose to implement more manageable changes. For example, instead of using incandescent bulbs, you can choose LED lights for powering your office.
These lights have longer lifespans and use less electricity. However, they also have brighter output despite their lower electric use.
5. Going Green with Your Printing
If you want to achieve a low carbon footprint, green printing methods can help you get there. Even though many companies have gone increasingly digital, it’s not always feasible to eliminate paper use.
Sometimes, you still have to print invoices, receipts, or reports for your business. Fortunately, there are ways to make your printing a greener process.
You can partner with several businesses to achieve this goal. For example, Team Concept Printing offers top-notch printing services.
Start Making Your Business Green Today
If you want to lower your carbon footprint, each of these tips can help you achieve it. So, don’t hesitate. Find out how you can implement these in your business today!
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