Four Ways Your Small Business Can "Go Green"

While giving back to the environment should be a priority every day of the year, it is especially so this week.  Earth Day was yesterday, April 22, and many people and businesses are looking for ways they can become more eco-conscious.  Here are four small steps you can take to turn your small business “green.”

1. While going paperless is the ultimate goal, there will most likely always be some instances where paper is necessary for your business.  When you must use paper, use a post consumer-waste (PCW) product.  This is paper made entirely of recycled paper and has a recycling symbol on the packaging.
2. Use biodegradable cleaners.  Using natural cleaners not only is better for the body in terms of exposure to toxins, but also reduces the amount of toxins that get released into the environment as we’re doing something as seemingly simple as just cleaning the office.
3. Replace traditional light bulbs with compact-fluorescent or LED lights.  They may cost more upfront, but last longer than traditional light bulbs reducing the amount of waste that result from replacing more often.
4. Place recycling stations right next to every community trash can in the office.  The more your team sees the recycling station, the more they will be thinking about and the more things will get recycled.  To encourage use, you can even have internal competition or incentive on who recycles the most each month!

Taking care of the planet has become more of a priority in the mind of consumers, and by following these simple steps your small business can give back to the environment, too!  Do you have any other ways your business is going green?  Share them with us on twitter @honorcu using #askhonorcu!

Listen to Honor’s Scott and 97.5 Y-Country’s Wild Bill talk about more ways you can “go green” in this week’s Mason Jar Monday! 

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