Sustainability is a concept that keeps coming back in current affairs. For some companies, it seems like a challenge to reduce their carbon footprint. But what is your company's ecological footprint? And how do you reduce your ecological footprint? These tips will help you make your business more sustainable and reduce your impact on the environment.
No matter how big or small your company is, you always have an impact on the world around you. The ecological footprint indicates the total greenhouse gas emissions, in short it shows how much energy your company uses.
Did you know that reducing your carbon footprint can also save you money?
TIP 1: Measure your company's ecological footprint
Every entrepreneur knows: measuring is knowing. In order to reduce your ecological footprint, you first need to know how big your ecological footprint is.
Map your CO2 emissions with this free one Climate Square tool. Only when you know what your ecological footprint is can you tackle it!
TIP 2: Switch to digital documents
Do you print dozens of documents every day? Then it is high time to adjust your printing behavior! Paper creates a lot of waste. So stop printing unnecessary documents now.
- Back up emails and important files online. This can be done via an online database or on an external hard drive.
- Send contracts, invoices and quotes as PDF files.
- Sign your documents online using electronic signatures.
- Cancel unnecessary addressed advertising.
- Still want to print? Use ecological, recycled paper and print double-sided.
TIP 3: Turn off your lights
Do your lights stay on day and night? This is not always necessary, and it also consumes a lot of power. Our tips?
- Turn off the lights when no one is there.
- Turn off computers and all unnecessary devices.
- Unplug chargers. These consume energy, even if no device is connected to them.
Tip: Switch to LED lighting. An LED lamp uses 85% less power, is more economical and lasts longer. When purchasing new products, you can also immediately choose the most sustainable device.
TIP 4: Recycle!
Recycling is very simple and does not require great effort. How do you best approach this?
- Provide clear sorting instructions. Make sure that every employee is aware of the sorting rules with a short information session, an email or an information paper.
- Place your waste bins in an easily accessible place. No more excuses not to recycle.
- Return packaging waste. In many cases, your supplier takes back packaging waste such as pallets. They can reuse these.
- Reuse material. You can give packages and boxes a new life. For example, reuse your parking signs at your next event.
TIP 5: Transport
Transport has a major impact on your ecological footprint. Transport of the end product and your employees is an important factor.
Transport of your employees
Do you expect all your employees to come to the office every day? Reconsider whether it is really necessary for them to come to the office, but their transport causes a lot of 'unnecessary' emissions. Moreover, you also save on relocation costs.
Is it impossible for your employees to work from home? Then promote public transport or cycling. Isn't this an option? Then see if carpooling is an option.
Transport and distribution of the end product
You can also reduce your ecological impact by answering the questions below.
- How can I optimize the number of suppliers?
- Where is ecological route optimization possible?
- Which grouped deliveries are possible?
- What alternative means of transport can you use?
TIP 6: Green energy
As a company you use a lot of energy, which is why you can consider investing in green energy. You can invest in solar panels or wind turbines, so you generate your own electricity and return the surplus to the power grid. Moreover, your energy bill will drop significantly!
TIP 7: Go for sustainable products
When purchasing your new products, choose sustainable products. These are products that last longer, are produced in an environmentally efficient manner or are recyclable. Did you know that there are even ecological ones? lounge sets, tables and chairs to exist?
Tip: extend this to your promotion. Choose sustainable promotional items. For example, go for ecological pens and bags, which you can also print.
With these tips you can reduce your ecological footprint. Would you like extra advice to organize your event, office space or catering business in a sustainable way? Contact us!