More and more small businesses appear to be placing a greater emphasis on taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint by implementing a series of significant changes, ranging from teleconferencing to cycle-to-work schemes.
What’s more, some of the changes can also saves companies money and improve productivity and morale among the work force.
What are these changes? Here are a few suggestions:
Conference calls
Teleconferencing is cheap, easy to use, convenient and some conference call providers even offer free conference calls. No longer do employees have to spend hours travelling either by air, rail or road to attend meetings that can be just as effectively carried out over the phone or via a video conference or webinar. As well as cost and environmental benefits, teleconferencing also means staff spend less time away from their desk.
Work remotely
Allowing staff to work from home either once or twice or week or on a more long-term basis means a company’s workforce aren’t commuting to and from the office. With the cost of office space and rent a financial burden, this method can free up funds that could instead be pumped back into the business. And, as an added bonus, having a ‘work at home Wednesday’ or whatever you want to call it may even improve productivity and morale from the staff as they feel more trusted.
Promote carpooling
Encourage the workforce to lift share to and from work and to any other events they may be attending together. Perhaps try and incentivise the scheme with small cash bonuses or free breakfasts or something like that just to help it get up and running.
Recycle in the workplace
Starting recycling and reusing whatever you can if you don’t already at work. Become a more responsible business by reducing wastage and recycling everything from packaging to computer components.
Turn down the central heating/air conditioning
You’d be amazed at what a difference turning down the central heating unit or air conditioning by a few degrees can have in terms of reducing utility bills and the amount of energy used to keep the office warm in the winter months and cool in summer. Also remember to turn off the heating unit or air con completely when the office is not in use as well as all electrical appliances and lights.
Introduce a cycle-to-work scheme
Look into the possibility of implementing a cycle-to-work scheme in the same way that you should promote carpooling among staff. In countries like the UK, these schemes involve allowing workers to buy tax-free bikes for up to 40% less than they retail for. If similar schemes are not applicable to your area then maybe offer money-off vouchers to encourage people to cycle to work.
Featured post submitted by Powwownow
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