BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION
8 Green innovations for a green business
Climate change has become a primary concern globally, and its effects have started to feel real. People often hold businesses responsible for this phenomenon, and it is true to an extent. It is, therefore, imperative that businesses adopt sustainable practices to minimise environmental degradation.
There are some tried and tested practices like following the 3Rs-Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, etc. In addition, technological advancements offer innovative techniques to make your business greener.
The areas to focus on to ensure make your business greener:
1. Eco-friendly power sources
We generally associate environmental pollution with activities that either run on fossil fuels or that discharge waste into the environment. However, even simple acts like pressing a power button on the computer or flicking a light switch impact the environment. One of the most popular and effective ways to minimise ecological impact is using solar panels. Although solar panel installation may seem expensive at first, it proves to be economical, especially if implemented organisation-wide, in the long run as it offers a substantial reduction in electricity bills.
2.Remote/hybrid working
One of the main sources of pollution is vehicular traffic. As a business owner, you can play a role in minimising traffic by allowing employees to work from home whenever possible. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many organisations to follow a remote working culture. Businesses have realised the benefits of remote working. Various digital communication channels have made it easier for employees to telecommute to work. Technologies such as Zoom, Google Meet, etc. facilitate collaboration between remote team members. Leveraging technology to work remotely is an effective way to reduce the environmental pollution caused by road traffic. A judicious mix of remote and in-person working, also called hybrid working, is now here to stay.
3. Paper usage
We all know paper gets manufactured from trees, and deforestation has a severe impact on the climate, which indirectly makes paper a villain for our atmosphere. So, it is better to go paperless, as far as possible. Communicating through emails, sharing data digitally, paying bills digitally, etc. are some ways in which most businesses have reduced the use of paper. In addition to these, online services like Slack, Asana, etc. can be used for scheduling assignments, organising projects, and more. Such digital project management tools not only reduce the use of paper but facilitate seamless collaboration. Where you need to use paper, you can use PCW (post-consumer waste) papers. These papers are made by recycling used papers. It helps to mitigate the effect of paper usage on the environment.
4. Optimisation with choice of technology
If you have gone paperless, you can use cloud technology to make your task easier. Cloud-based technology helps the environment by eliminating the need for high energy-consuming servers and also helps to share files without difficulty. It also reduces paper usage for printing files.
Another technology that can make your business green is the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. For example, in a manufacturing unit IoT sensor can provide vital information about the machinery and equipment being used. This data can be analysed to optimise energy consumption and reduce waste.
5. Energy consumption
You should find ways to bring down the energy consumption of your business. There are numerous ways to do it, as you can switch to more energy-efficient LED lights or CFLs. They might seem costly, but in the long run, they will save you more money. Choosing a renewable source of energy will also help to reduce energy consumption.
6. Source of procurement
Procure raw materials from suppliers who manufacture products from non-toxic and renewable materials. This will ensure that your business follows environmental-friendly practices.
7. Web hosting service provider
Choosing a web hosting service provider that follows nature-friendly practices is crucial. Several web hosting organisations use a significant amount of energy, negatively impacting nature. So, go with a company that actively works to lessen its carbon footprint.
8. An increased online presence
Moving a business from an offline brick-and-mortar store to an online store is an eco-friendly option. This is because if a business does not have an office space, the environmental impact of using electricity, water, gas, etc. gets eliminated. Besides, online stores not only minimise environmental pollution but also enhance customer experience.
These are some ways of making your business greener. One important aspect of a green business is digital transformation. When a business adopts a digital approach, it can easily go paperless, encourage remote working, reduce energy consumption, and more.
The environmental impacts of businesses cannot be ignored. Hence, the onus is now on businesses to follow practices that foster a healthy planet. A green business has the support of the government and consumers. Besides, millennials looking for job opportunities are more inclined to choose employers who follow sustainable practices.
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