Your Company, Your Image
No matter what kind of business you operate, you can run it more efficiently and look for ways to green things up a bit. Any changes you intend to implement will more than likely require a formal plan or program or, at a minimum, a memo (preferably an electronic one to keep the use of paper to a minimum). Although some programs may have a cost associated with getting them up and running, once started they will most likely save energy or the environment and wind up reducing operating costs as well. In addition, businesses can promote their green actions to potential customers and future employees.
There are ways to make the service you provide or the product you make greener. If you are constructing a new building or renovating an older one, look at the Green Building Council's (GBC's) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Your project may be certified in at least one of five areas, allowing building owners to display their certification and possibly receive incentives. If you manufacture a product, consider revising operations to meet the criteria for fair or organic trade. Pacific Natural Foods — an Oregon-based company whose product line includes soups, broths, beverages, and ready-made meals — shows its commitment to environmental responsibility in its procurement and packaging efforts. Although Pacific Natural Foods are sold throughout the United States, the company tries to get its ingredients from local farms to reduce the amount of fossil fuels required to ship the food. The company also works diligently with manufacturers to reduce waste and design the most efficient and environmentally friendly packaging.
The federal government began constructing LEED-certified buildings in the 1990s; the private sector soon followed. Proper and efficient lighting is one of the LEED design goals, and it makes good business sense, too. A 1999 report prepared by Pacific Gas & Electric showed that stores with skylights report a 40 percent increase in sales, and employees who work in buildings with increased lighting control are 7 percent more productive.
Not only does certification let others know that business owners care about the environment, it sets an example for other businesses. Apply for any awards that might be available locally or statewide. Consider joining or starting a recycling or green organization in the community where people can share information they have learned while improving their office operations. Submit articles on your efforts to local newspapers and magazines. To raise the bar in your area of business, go green and watch the others follow.
It's important to communicate your intentions with clients and employees so the purpose is understood. If cutbacks and reductions are not explained to employees or if clients see that they are receiving used materials or that a company is cutting back on production, there may be suspicions that the company is in dire financial straights. To avoid any misconceptions, let people know the changes are all focused toward meeting environmental goals.
