Owners of businesses both small and large are beginning to take interest in making their businesses “greener” or more environmentally friendly.  This is a perfect example of how every little bit helps, because even as a small or home-based business, implementing green business practices allow you to make a difference.

Here are a few tips for how you as a business can go green, from the small daily things you can do, to bigger investments.

1. Limit printing and paperwork.  Even a small business can produce a ghastly amount of paperwork — and paper trash.  Many things get printed out just to end up in the trash, or in a file that no one will look at ever again.  Maintain electronic versions of records and paperwork instead of keeping a file stuffed with papers, and print out only what is absolutely necessary.
2. Recycle.  Even the most diligent business cannot eliminate paper trash entirely, so sign up for a recycling service to take care of the rest.  If you are concerned about sensitive documents and information getting out, simply shred the paperwork first, and then recycle everything that is in the shredder waste basket at the end of the day.
3. Turn everything off at the end of the day or when you’re not using it.  Many businesses leave computers, lights, etc. on even while they’re not in use.  This is a huge source of wasted power.  Not only will it save your business money on power bills to turn off lights and equipment when you are done with them, but it will also enable you to do your part on limiting energy consumption.
4. Consider green renovations.  As a home business owner, you are home all day, and therefore you consume more power at home than the average person.  You can make up for some of this difference by making some green renovations to your home.  Get an energy efficient furnace, since you run it more during the day; insulate your home better to prevent heat loss; and consider green power sources such as solar electric systems.  Residential solar energy is not as expensive to implement as you might think.  Click here to read the facts about solar energy.

Going green is like building Rome: It can’t be done overnight.  However, remember that each new effort you make — such as turning off your computer at night, or recycling — is yet another step in the right direction.

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