It sometimes seems that small business owners have to look out for themselves. When you are starting a small company, it’s common to hit bumps in the road, so it’s important to be active in watching your spending and analyzing where your money goes. You are the owner, so if you run out of money, there is not someone else in a higher position to help bail you out. Adding a touch of green to your small business can help prepare you for the unexpected and keep your head above water so you can focus on running your business.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can save up to $75 per computer by using the sleep setting when you are not working at your desk. This proves that turning off the electricity can help you save a bundle of money per month.
Another tip when it comes to technology is to take advantage of wireless devices. This reduces the need to buy extra cables and wires. Networking can reduce the number of devices you need to use, so maybe you can work efficiently on one computer rather than needing two or more. If you want to monitor the amount of energy you consume, purchase a portable meter reader to help you reduce your monthly electric bill.
Setup a home office and ditch the extra rent payment. If you don’t initially need to rent a space, avoid it by working from home. This will reduce your consumption of gasoline, which will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. Employees should also have the opportunity to telecommute, if this is a viable option for the company.
Start recycling your ink cartridges and electronic devices in addition to paper and plastic products. Many computers will take back your obsolete computers and properly recycle them. You can also reduce your paper consumption by using email and storing files on your computer and backup CDs or flash drives.
Making your small business more sustainable for the environment can in turn make you able to sustain your lifestyle. You might have to update your cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) monitors, but you will be consuming less energy and saving money in the long run.
