Businesses can adopt green practices to help the environment and reduce costs. There are many options for businesses large and small, from switching to sustainable energy sources to implementing office recycling and encouraging more efficient energy use among employees. Specific green business strategies mentioned include going paperless, purchasing energy efficient equipment, setting up recycling bins, allowing casual dress codes or working from home some days, and investing in sustainable energy providers for new buildings.

1. Going green isn't just for small homes. Businesses can get
in on the act as well, helping to save the environment and
company funds at the same time. Going green can be big,
like switching to sustainable energy sources, or small, like
setting up office recycling bins and turning off the lights
after work hours. There are many ways a business can go
green:

2. 1. Go digital.Using digital calendars, memos, and more can
greatly reduce a company's waste products, one of the
most important steps in going green. Going digital can also
improve employee efficiency and save money. If a
company reduces paper waste by ten $15 reams each
month, that saves around $1,800 each year. Couple that
with reduced costs for document shredding, file storage,
printer/copier maintenance, and ink or toner, and even
small companies will see a huge difference in their carbon
footprints and bottom lines. Even if you can't go digital on
everything, encourage two-sided printing where possible
and look for environmentally-friendly paper products.

3. 2. Be energy efficient.Paperless offices save money and
help the environment, but don't stop there. Reduce your
energy consumption, as well. This can be done by
purchasing Energy Star products, but also by switching to
energy-efficient light bulbs, adjusting computer settings to
"power saver" mode, and turning off the lights and
unplugging appliances in rooms that aren't being used. If
your company uses vehicles or provides company cars,
look into using hybrids and encourage drivers to take fuel-
efficient routes, carpool, and avoid speeding.

4. 3. Encourage in-office recycling.Recycling paper products,
plastic, glass, and even old electronics can have a huge
effect on a company's carbon footprint. If you set up
recycling bins in the office, make sure they're in highly-
visible areas where they'll be used most often, such as
break rooms, cafeterias, outside bathrooms etc. Send out
a reminder email now and again to encourage employees
to use the bins. You may even consider partnering with
other companies in your building or on your block to
combine your recycling efforts.

5. 4. Be casual.Many companies have embraced the concept
of "Casual Fridays" to reduce summer cooling costs, with
excellent results. Others have encouraged working from
home, which reduces a company's power consumption
and the amount of carbon emissions from employees
commuting to the office. It may take time and some
structural innovations, but it can be done. In recent years,
Sun Microsystems has saved itself millions of dollars in
real estate costs and thousands of tons of carbon
emissions, all while increasing worker productivity.

6. 5. Use sustainable energy providers.Green energy
resources may seem expensive, but the initial cost can be
more than earned back in energy savings. If your company
is opening a new building soon, consider working with a
company that provides sustainable energy, or even simply
installing solar panels and generators. The effect on
carbon emissions and money savings varies, but it's a well-
known fact that it is worth it.

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