As awareness around our collective global environmental impact grows, the need for not just individuals but businesses and large corporations to take responsibility for their eco-footprint has never been greater, writes Damian Blumenkranc, Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor and Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) Melbourne Communications Chair.

Businesses have become more conscious of their impact on the environment and have joined efforts to minimise their carbon footprint and help preserve the planet. But how do you get your business and your entire team to go green?

Implementing some green initiatives doesn’t need to be complex or cost the world. Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Melbourne members, Energy Ease, Pacific Solar, Sunwiz, Sunpower Renewables, TCK Solar, and Your Energy Partner have come together to share some simple and cost-effective ways to improve your business’s eco-footprint.

5 ways to shrink your eco-footprint

1. Conserving Energy

Water and electricity staples for every household and most especially, businesses. As we use them every day, we need to be conscious of their usage as there can be activities or practices that result in a lot of wastage of these resources. Use as much natural light in your offices as much as possible. If the design limits having natural light in your workplace consider installing motion sensors for lights in your meeting rooms. Another very quick way to make an impact is by replacing the old light bulbs in your office with environmentally friendly LED bulbs. In Victoria, government schemes mean you can do this at home too at no cost to yourself! Another option is to observe lights-off hours during breaks or after office hours. You can shift to desk lights when there are fewer people in the office. You can put visual reminders in bathrooms to turn off taps when people leave and to conserve water as much as possible and put reminders to turn off lights and electronic appliances when not in use.

2. End waste: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Minimising waste, utilising things again after use and making new products from waste or used items are among the basic methods of being an environmentally-responsible citizen. These three words summarise the ways we can help our planet. To put these into practice you can segregate your wastes so that you can reuse bottles and plastic containers or create something from fabric or paper products. Having brightly coloured bins to indicate their different purposes (recycling, paper waste, general waste) is a great way to remind people to reduce their eco-footprint and think before they dispose of something.

To cut down on waste avoid the use of paper cups, plates or utensils and instead choose reusable mugs and utensils in your office. Go paperless by having forms or documents in electronic copies. If printing on paper is necessary, use both sides or utilise again the blank pages at the back of old files. Also, brief your employees on the proper way of doing this because educating your team is key to getting them on board and encouraging them to take action.

3. Source products and supplies from sustainable sources

There are so many options these days for suppliers that are sustainable and products that consider the environment and can support you in shrinking your eco-footprint. Many offices are switching to ‘Who Gives a Crap’ toilet paper thereby cutting down on plastic use with 100% recycled toilet paper that comes wrapped in paper from a company that donates 50% of profits to building toilets in the developing world. Other initiatives can include locally sourced product hampers for Christmas and eco-friendly packaging and cleaning supplies. Non-toxic cleaning products that reduce plastic are available such as Resparkle. Use recycled products wherever possible and choose suppliers that are also integrating eco-friendly practices into their workplaces and source local vendors for your materials and equipment.

Also, check out your office design and find alternative ways where you will be able to use more energy-efficient materials or tools in your day-to-day office activities. You can support staff by setting up car pool initiatives and reduce transportation with more work-from-home days as is increasingly becoming the norm.

4. Green your office with plants and gardens

Plants not only make an office attractive and soothing but they also clean the air. Also, plants help reduce noise levels, relieve people from stress, increase productivity, enhance creativity, combat illnesses and lower absentee rates.

Having some greens or a garden in your office also reminds you and your team to be always conscious of the environment. Assign team members a plant or give them a schedule to take care of your office garden so that everyone is accountable for looking after them and then carries these responsibilities with them wherever they are, being mindful of their duty in protecting our planet’s resources.

5. Use alternate energy sources

While this may be easier said than done, it can be achieved with careful planning and good execution. It is a good step towards becoming a more environmentally friendly business. Have a chat with Energy Ease, Pacific Solar, Sunwiz, Sunpower Renewables, TCK Solar, and Your Energy Partner to learn more about your options.

Involve your team in sourcing eco-friendly suppliers and products that support your journey to reduce your eco-footprint. The important thing is to embed the mindset and values of being responsible for taking care of our environment within your organisation.