We’re barely a month in and yet 2017 isn’t looking good.
By the 6th of January, one street in London had already exceeded the city’s annual air pollution limit.
But it’s not just bad news for the environment.
That thick and toxic smog that hangs over highly populated cities has been linked to dementia and causes thousands of premature deaths in the UK every year.
It’s clearly a major issue that requires a lot of key players working together for a solution.
Not least of these is the big, bad world of business, which accounted for 17 percent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2014.
With this in mind, we’re sharing a few top tips on how to reduce the environmental impact of your company.
Recycle waste
Whether you run a small office or a giant warehouse, recycling waste is a simple but effective green tactic. Food, plastics, aluminium, cardboard – have separate bins and encourage all employees to use them correctly.
Anything that can’t be recycled should be properly taken care of, with special attention being given to government guidelines on the disposal of toxic, chemical or medical waste. Consider hiring a Skip Hire Sheffield for commercial waste.
Minimise paper wastage
You no doubt use paper on a daily basis, and if you don’t recycle it then you’re leaving behind a huge mountain of unnecessary waste.
For a more sustainable business model, switch to paperless modes of working. With programmes like Google Drive and Dropbox designed to let everyone collaborate online, it’s not as difficult as it sounds.
Limit risks
Spills, leaks and explosions can spell long-term disaster for the surrounding environment, affecting the water supply and levels of air pollution. It’s an especially important concern if you work with chemicals.
Invest in protective measures like Durasteel’s blast wall and fire barriers. They’ll control the impact of an accident by preventing the escape or spread of toxic smoke and gases.
Check your carbon footprint
It’s not just what you do at the office that counts, but how you travel to and from it. Use public transport as often as possible, when you’re popping to meetings or heading home at the end of the day.
Create an incentive scheme to encourage employees to do the same, and if your business relies on vans or lorries, look at swapping to more eco-friendly engines and vehicles.
Focus on energy-efficiency
Do something about those rising heating and electricity bills by making a few energy-efficient renovations.
From installing LED light bulbs and new SMART meters to fitting double glazing, there are plenty of options that’ll help save you money and transform your current setup into a green office.
Don’t be overwhelmed by the recent gloomy news. Focus on making a few key changes at a time and you’ll slowly be able to reduce the environmental impact of your business.
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