More and more people are becoming environmentally aware as they realize the impact their actions have on the environment. Small and large business alike all impact the earth, and while some business have a large impact than others, all businesses can implement practices that are environmentally friendly.

Being a green company is not as hard as it may seem, and even small changes can have a positive impact on the planet. There are a few different things you can do to right away to adopt green practices, which are simple and easy to implement.

One way that your entire company can do something green is to start a company wide recycling program. Instead of throwing recyclables away in break rooms and offices, put recycling bins in convenient places near trash cans so that cans, plastic containers, and paper can be sorted. Many places have free or low cost recycling pickup in addition to trash pickup, or recyclables can be dropped off at local recycling centers.

Another easy way to start being a green company is to take advantage of technology for communication. Presentations can be made via laptop or projector, instead of printed, and email can be utilized instead of memos and printed messages. Online advertising can be very effective and is more environmentally conscience than printed ads.

Making sure your company’s building is insulated, uses energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems, and has other environmentally friendly features is a great way to be a green company. Reducing the amount of water used for landscaping and using plants native to your office’s area are ways to be a green company outside your building.

There are many ways to be a green company, and many benefits of being a green company for the earth. Even small changes can have a big impact over time, and the more changes you make the more you will help the earth.

There is no doubt that recycling reusable materials is healthy for the environment. Recycling paper, metal, and plastic reduces the need to create more products from natural resources, and allows consumers to get the products they need created from materials that have already been used. Many people already recycle the things they use in their homes, and hundreds of thousands of pounds of recyclables are made into new products every year from the products private consumers don’t throw away.

Many employers have also begun company recycling programs, to do their part for the environment and encourage recycling throughout the workplace. Company recycling is a relatively simple office policy to implement, and can have a great impact on office morale and community spirit.

A company recycling program can begin small, with recycling bins placed in convenient locations, such as in break rooms. Trashcans or storage containers labeled for plastic, metal, and paper, are simple to make and can be placed just about anywhere. A few simple signs reminding employees to recycle will help to ensure recyclables make it into their appropriate containers.

To take company recycling to a higher level, employers can offer incentives to collect recyclables or hold competitions to see which offices or staff members can collect the most. Many towns and cities have recycling pickup for free or for a small fee, and if these services do not exist where your business is located most towns have localized recycling facilities where recyclables can be dropped off.

Creating a company recycling program will show your employees and customers that you care about the environment and community. It creates a positive image for your business, and helps to cut down on the use of natural resources in a bigger way than one person can do alone. A company recycling program also influences everyone who enters a business from employees to customers, and encourages them to recycle at home, further propagating the cycle of re-use and environmental awareness.

Written by Payton Williams
http://www.Greenedup.org

New Green Building initiative by Capital Remodeling

Green building, also called sustainable design, is a term that is sweeping across the construction industry. Green building involves making a concentrated effort to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. Obviously this involves certain decisions that affect decisions and practices during the construction phase, such as transport of resources and supplies, worker practices, and the proper disposal / recycling of left over materials. Green building practices go far beyond the immediate reduction of a construction company’s carbon footprint, however. It should extend well into, and beyond, the life of the building project to have a positive and long term impact on the surrounding community and, by extension, the environment in general.

In order to effectively streamline resources and practices, and truly maximize the efficient usage of materials and resources, careful attention must be paid to design, construction, and maintenance.

Green building practices will concentrate on three specific areas and resources; environmentally friendly materials, energy consumption, and water efficiency. Of course a fourth area, the health and well being of the building project’s intended occupants as well as the community, of which the building project will become a part of, should also be heavily considered.

The main focus of green building and design is to create a neutral to positive impact on the environment. The rewards for choosing to work with the environment instead of against it are obvious and numerous. There are, however, many financial benefits associated with green building practices, as well. A green building project that has been thoughtfully and skilfully designed, constructed and, of course maintained, will reduce overall construction costs by as much as 25%, will significantly lower maintenance costs, and provide other forms of monetary savings and benefits. On top of this, tax breaks, rebates, and positive branding will also contribute to the financial benefits that will result as an outcome of green building and business practices.

In order to effectively streamline resources and practices, and truly maximize the efficient usage of materials and resources, careful attention must be paid to design, construction, and maintenance. Design involves an emphasis on minimizing materials and waste, reusable and recyclable resources are chosen over other materials, and energy and water efficiency is planned at every stage. Along with reusable materials, cool roofing options are also utilized. Guidelines and restrictions for cool roofing colours vary from state to state so it is a good idea to look into exactly what is required before you build.

While looking into guidelines for cool roofing, it is important to also look into LEED certification requirements. LEED is put in place to provide standards of practice for sustainable design, or green building.

Learn more about Capital Remodeling by contacting them directly.

Recycling as a company is all about habit. Think about it. When you have a piece of trash you instinctively toss it in the trash bin. That is a habit built up over many years. I find the same is true with recycling. If you have a blue bin in your office for recycling copy paper all you have to do is get everyone to get in the habit of tossing their used paper into it instead of the trash bin. It takes a while but it is very effective.

When I started recycling as a company I offered positive reinforcement at the beginning to motivate staff to recycle. For instance, when we put a recycling bin in the break room for aluminum and plastic bottles and cans, I offered a prize for the person who deposited the most items in the can. I tied a permanent marker to the bin and had everyone put their initials on the item they were tossing. At first people were doing it for the prize, but after a couple of months they were just habitually tossing their cans and bottles into the bin. It worked like a charm.

Recycling as a company is a great way to contribute to protecting the Earth and when done as a group it is a lot easier to make a difference. You can motivate your staff like I did through prizes or you can just educate them on how they are helping the green cause. Once they see examples of how recycling as a company makes a difference they will no doubt be happy to partake in recycling part of the daily routine. One thing I have done is reward staffers who come up with interesting and new ways to recycle too.

Here is something to think about for recycling as a company. Instead of buying all new office furniture when you need it, why not buy used? Sites like Craig’s List are great for finding gently used office furniture. This is the ultimate in recycling because you keep the furniture from getting into landfills by using it over and over again. It also saves you a lot of money. Recycling as a company is all about attitude and habit. Doing your part as a company to help the Earth is not just the right thing to do but it can also help the bottom line.