Recent record-breaking droughts, windstorms, blizzards, and floods reinforce the reality that climate change is transforming the environment. As an environmentally conscious corporate citizen, your company has a responsibility to curb the adverse effects of global warming by conserving natural resources and energy while minimizing pollution.
What's more, going green can reduce your risk of lawsuits for alleged environmental damage and can boost your bottom line by saving time and money.
Eco-friendly business processes
- Minimize paperwork and digitize files. To reduce the expense and inefficiency of handling paper, have employees scan and route incoming mail; recycle, discard, or retain original documents; send as much correspondence as possible by e-mail; and require double-sided printing.
- Boost recycling. Despite automation, every company is paper intensive. To reduce costs, facilitate and encourage recycling paper wherever possible. You can also put a dishwasher in the company lunchroom to encourage the use of reusable, washable coffee mugs instead of disposable cups.
- Promote telecommuting. Fewer workers idling in traffic to and from the job reduces fossil fuel pollutants going into the atmosphere. To help the environment — and eliminate the loss of time and money in commuting — encourage employees to work from home where practical.
- Reduce power consumption. Shut down computer towers, printers, monitors, copiers, and other electronic devices at night.
- Manage used or scrapped IT equipment. Because these devices can contain hazardous materials, make sure to recycle or discard them in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.
To align sustainability with broader workplace policies, consider best practices in Workplace Risk Management: Sustainability, Safety, Compliance, and Culture.
Set up a "go green" committee for management to track the cost savings from these policies and encourage employees to provide examples of how they or coworkers are helping save the environment. For guidance on managing risk and reputational impact, see Understanding Risk Management and Brand Reputation.
For more information, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can digitizing files save my company money?
Digitizing reduces paper, storage, and printing costs and speeds up retrieval of documents, which saves both time and money.
What are simple steps to improve office recycling?
Place clearly labeled recycling bins, reduce single-use items, and encourage reusable dishware to increase participation with minimal cost.
Is telecommuting effective for all types of work?
Telecommuting works best for roles that do not require constant on-site presence; evaluate job duties and employee performance to determine suitability.
How should we dispose of old electronics safely?
Use certified e-waste recyclers or manufacturer take-back programs to ensure hazardous materials are handled properly and data is securely destroyed.