Climate change is the big issue in the world today and a lot of businesses are keen do their bit. With many unsure how to act, we have come up with a few ideas to get you started.

Recycle

Paper use in offices is often the easiest way to recycle. By setting all printers to use both sides of the paper you reduce waste and costs by 50%. Re-using printed paper and then recycling it further improves your environmental standing. Also, consider using second-hand items when buying office furniture. There are companies all around Australia who specialise in buying from closing offices and then re-selling.

Segregating waste

Different industries can utilise this tactic to varying levels. If you have a lot of scrap materials, such as wood or metal, then you should consider selling this waste on to merchants. For those business with smaller amounts of waste, use separate bins for different waste types for example paper, cans, plastic etc

Monitor and measure

Try to get some figures regarding your spending on energy and other main resources. Regular meter readings are useful and will help you spot if power is used unnecessarily. Setting up a spreadsheet can help you monitor usage over a long period and assess if measures designed to reduce energy waste are actually working.

Assign the Task to a Team or Staff member

Larger businesses can set up environmental teams comprised of members of each department, whereas small firms can give responsibility to one enthusiastic person. The task for this team or person is to try to get the whole company on board. This can often require incentives such as offering free movies passes to staff who come up with the best idea for greening up.

Company Vehicles

Transportation can have a huge impact on the bottom line for businesses large and small. If you need to use a company car, consider going hybrid. As consumers continue to embrace automotive alternatives, more models are entering the market.

In the Kitchen

Every business has a kitchen of some sort. Depending on the size of the business it may range from a fully catered canteen to a kettle, fridge and sink in the corner. Whatever the size kitchen your business has, try to avoid using plastic cutlery, paper towels and Styrofoam cups.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Change the Light Bulbs

Some small businesses and even large businesses decide to save energy by turning off lights or using dimmers. While this is a fine idea for storage areas, it isn't as great for parts of the building that customers are in or for areas where employees are working. Instead, switch traditional bulbs for energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. If possible, turn of all lights overnight or at the weekend if the business is closed.