In an effort to protect the environment, more and more businesses are taking the necessary steps to become eco-friendly. While this is a noble approach to take in general, there’s more to it than simply saving the planet.

This is because going green has various other benefits for those operating a company. It can help with enhancing overall efficiency, improving customer perception, and boosting employee morale – and that’s just the start.

If you’re wondering how to develop a more eco-friendly business and enjoy the benefits, consider the following six methods listed below.

Use recyclable materials when possible

Using recyclable materials is an obvious starting point, admittedly, but one that needs highlighting.

As the world continually shifts towards protecting the environment, more opportunities are present for the use of recyclable materials. With more companies producing recyclable materials, they are becoming more readily available. For example, global supplier Asia Pulp and Paper, which has taken a strong approach to sustainability, demonstrates this with its range of innovative products. More about APP’s environmentally-focused work can be found in this professional profile.

When it comes to implementing recyclable materials, it’s easy to switch to eco-friendly packaging and mailing supplies if your business hasn’t already done so. Additionally, and although it’s dependent on what you’re selling, products can even be redesigned with sustainability in mind.

Encourage an eco-friendly approach in the workplace

When creating an eco-friendly environment, it’s important to get all of your employees on-board. This can be done in a number of ways. One small yet effective way is to remove plastic cups and replace them with a reusable water bottle for each worker. Furthermore, the convenience of having recycling bins dotted throughout the office will encourage employees to dispose of their waste the right way.

Also, don’t overlook the power of incentivizing. If employees stick with environmentally-conscious behavior, show your appreciation by rewarding them for their effort.

Renewable energy sources

A business can enjoy a whole host of benefits by using renewable energy. Knowing it is helping the environment is a big advantage, of course. However, it can also help slice energy bills, protect against price fluctuations from providers, and increase reliability.

There are also financial incentives for taking the renewable energy route. For example, installing solar panels requires a hefty upfront investment, but the government rewards those that go green with grants and tax rebates. These financial rewards differ depending on your state and other policies, but you can do a quick check by browsing the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.

Avoid throwing items in the trash

Recycling receptacles in the office will help with smaller items, but what about larger articles such as furniture and computers? While it will be tempting to simply dump them in the trash when the time comes, avoid taking this hasty approach.

Instead, donate the items. You might not need your old office chairs or desktops after replacing them, but that doesn’t mean others wouldn’t appreciate them. Send them to a goodwill shop or put out a local notice advertising your unwanted goods. Someone will pick them up, they will avoid going in the trash, and you are helping the community in the process.

Watch your water usage

Unless it is directly part of business operations, water usage is an often overlooked aspect for those running a company. Yet if you want to run an eco-friendly organization, it’s vital that you closely monitor how much water you use. After all,water conservation is an important step in protecting the environment.

Thankfully, there are several different ways in which you can curb water usage. Consider the following points:

• Check your taps to ensure they’re not leaking.
• Install low-flow toilets and waterless urinals.
• Upgrade older equipment, such as dishwashers, that uses water. Newer models tend to be more efficient and utilize less water.
• Look at the possibility of investing inrainwater harvesting.

Reward eco-friendly commuting

Eco-friendly transportation is on the rise. Extend your business’s eco-friendly practices throughout your staff by encouraging carbon-neutral commutes as opposed to driving. Biking or walking to work are great ways for employees that live nearby to get to work, and those that live further away can take advantage of public transportation as a way to save money on gas and reduce carbon emissions.

You can even take this a step further by offering work from home opportunities. Thanks to the power of collaboration tools and cloud applications, there’s less requirement for employees to make their daily commute to the office. By being able to work from home, this reduces their carbon footprint as they don’t have to use a car to get around.