You see the evidence everywhere at work: lights blazing day and night, computers on 24/7, reams of paper tossed in the trash. Alas, the execs don’t buy your eco-arguments. They say greening the office is too expensive and difficult.
The truth, of course, is that going green is easy, and saves money and the planet, too. Even small businesses report 20 to 30 percent savings with energy-saving moves. That’s why companies around the globe—from pizza parlors to IBM—are embracing eco-friendliness and bolstering their image along the way. So take courage: gently let your company know just how lean green can be. Tell your employer about the expert tips below (or use the comment section to share stories about how you helped green your workplace). And let the buck start here.
GOING GREEN SHEDS NEW LIGHT
Lighting eats up more than 30 percent of the electric bill for the average business. Inefficient, old-fashioned lights burn through cash—literally. To avoid the waste:
--Say goodbye to old fluorescents. Swap outdated “T-12” tubular fluorescent lights with new, energy-efficient “T-8” or “T-5” high-performance models, which provide better illumination and slash energy use by 17 to 48 percent.
--Replace incandescent bulbs. Energy Star compact fluorescent lights can reduce lighting costs by up to 70 percent and last up to eight times longer.
--Switch hit. Flicking off the lights in empty rooms and hallways can save as much as 15 percent in lighting costs. IBM, for example, reportedly saved $17.8 million worldwide in one year simply by encouraging employees to turn out the lights.
--Get green back. Energy tax credits, 50 percent rebates, free energy audits, and ultra-low-interest loans abound for energy efficiency projects, allowing companies to recoup sizeable portions of their upfront costs.
GOING GREEN GENERATES BUZZ
Another benefit of going green is the media attention—of the to-die-for variety. Legitimate eco-friendliness often gets free, positive news coverage, one of the most potent sales tools on earth.
Whole Foods measured $1.4 million in favorable publicity (read: earned media) after deciding to use 100 percent renewable energy to power its stores, according to EarthPeople, a green strategy consultant. Harbec Plastics, a tool- and mold-maker in Ontario, N.Y., won mention in USA Today for its use of wind and natural gas turbines, state-of-the-art water-cooling system, and hybrid vehicles. Company founder Robert Bechtold said sustainability practices saved him $1.2 million in recent years and reduced annual CO2 emissions by 750,000 pounds.
Small businesses can get a slice of the action, too. Hot Lips Pizza in Portland and the Fort Lauderdale-based Pizza Fusion made national news by using locally grown organic ingredients and delivering pies in eco-friendly vehicles. (Pizza Fusion also builds stores according to LEED standards, uses 100 percent wind energy, and encourages customers to return pizza boxes for recycling.)
Businesses in general get good press by:
--Being carbon careful. This includes using organic or reused materials or going carbon neutral and offsetting the business's carbon dioxide emissions.
--Being generous. Allotting a percentage of sales to green causes creates attention and good will. Plus, the news coverage often helps build customer loyalty—without the expense of a publicist.
GOING GREEN ADDS UP BIG
A wide variety of simple practices can dramatically reduce business costs and earthly impacts, as well. The top contenders include:
--Recycling for real. Even a small office with 15 people can generate 2.5 tons of waste paper each year. Paper reduction (double-side printing, relying on electronic files instead of printing them out) is always a good policy. By coupling those paper cutbacks with recycling programs,businesses can reduce disposal costs and save trees by heaps and bounds. According to Greenbiz, Bank of America’s recycling program has saved as much as $483,000 in trash hauling fees. Hewlett Packard has recycled as much as 43 million pounds of paper— equivalent to more than 367,000 trees.
--Playing it cool. Even a one-degree increase on that thermostat bumps up heating costs by about 8 percent. For optimal savings and comfort, businesses are advised to dial in at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
--Getting shut-eye. Every single PC that runs day and night—and there are untold millions of them—cause 1,000 extra pounds of greenhouse gases each year. Smart businesses reduce the sorry waste by making sure employees shut down their computers when they leave work (no, it won’t hurt the computers). Computers should also be set to go into sleep mode when not in use.
--Running with the pack. According to a survey conducted for Microsoft Corp., nearly 70 percent of small firms believe eco-practices are important for their success, and 60 percent say they save money by using sustainable technologies. Small or large, at home or abroad: when businesses go green, they're in good company.
