Happy St. Patrick’s Day! While you are wearing green, let’s talk about how your business can be more green while also saving green. Courtesy of DECO Resources, we have 10 tips to share!
- Use alternative transportation – Spring is just around the corner (and we’ve had a great winter anyways!). Take alternative transportation like bicycle commuting, catching the bus, taking the T, or sharing a ride with a friend. This saves a lot of money and gives time to catch up on social media during your commute! Check out the Port Authority website to see what is available in the Pittsburgh area.
2. Use daylight – Pittsburgh is known for being cloudy, but as the sunny days of summer approach, remember to only use lights where you need them. Of course, don’t keep yourself in the dark, but many times you can keep the office cool by turning lights off during the day.
3. Use recycled paper – Many offices save cost and reduce waste by keeping scrap paper and printing on the back. It’s also a great policy to purchase paper with high recycled content and use eco-friendly ink.
4. Reduce toxic chemicals by using greener cleaning products – Cleaning chemicals can be harmful to the person cleaning and will have other harmful effects if dumped down the drain after being used. Find alternative products that don’t have toxic components. Here is a good place to start looking at eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaners.
5. Buy local – Supporting local companies is good for your local economy. Try to purchase products from businesses that support equity within your community.
6. Indoor plants can improve air quality – Indoor air quality is an important, and often overlooked component of environmental health. Potted plants can help capture volatile organic compounds and supply fresh air.
7. Go paperless – There are many ways to prevent waste by opting for paperless options. Going digital can be more convenient and also helps the environment.
8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Compost – A separated waste stream might be confusing to set up, but having a proper container for various types of waste can make it easier to manage. Don’t forget that organic materials like coffee grounds and paper can make great compost to build healthy soil. Don’t forget to have clear signage!
9. Track energy and water usage – Measure what matters. Once you have several years of data (which you can collect from historical records) you can start to set goals for reductions that will save MAJOR money on energy and cost.
10. Identify a sustainability manager or point person – Having someone in the office to be responsible for putting these actions in place and following through with them is vital for success. This person can come up with other fun and engaging ways to promote sustainability. He or she can also attend workshops like Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Green Workplace Challenge to learn more.
Again, special thanks to DECO Resources for providing these tips. DECO Resources has been a member of WorkHard PGH for more than three years, providing environmental consulting and green design. Check out their website here. You can also find them on Twitter here.
