We know that business owners are making attempts to make their work places more environmentally friendly. Everyone is replacing incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs, shutting off computers and taking other important small steps. We wanted to give you some food for thought because sometimes using your imagination is the best way to save money and the environment. It can work for marketing, too. Check out our green business tips for new ideas.
One small maker of organic soaps and lotions thought about the box instead of outside the box. He not only uses recycled paper for his cardboard packaging, he embeds the cardboard with herb seeds. Instead of throwing the box away, the customer can put it in a flower pot and grow some pretty herbs. Good for the environment and clever for sales.
A small organic vineyard in South America has decided to overcome the stigma of boxed wine by using the biodegradable cartons as a selling point. The cartons can be shipped flat, taking only 25% of the space in trucks needed to transport glass bottles. Recycling glass uses a lot more energy than recycling paper. Environmentally friendly packaging from an organic vineyard makes this wine very special.
Stop thinking outside the box and consider the box. Tons of waste in land fills are created by plastic and styrofoam packaging, especially from restaurants. Get creative and find new ways to package your products. Your packaging is an advertisement for your business. This green business tip is use environmentally responsible packaging, it makes a statement.
Every business has a coffee machine. Instead of putting that stack of disposable styrofoam cups next to it, give each of your employees a ceramic mug imprinted with your company logo. You can use the mugs to serve your customer's coffee as well and invite them to keep the mug. It's environmentally friendly, its good advertising and its a lot classier than styrofoam. Use organic fair trade coffee, it may cost a little more but it tastes better and it shows your commitment to eco friendly practices. This a green business tip many business owners don't consider.
Laptops use a lot less energy than PCs. When its time to upgrade your equipment, consider using laptops. They are more energy efficient, they're portable and your employees can take them along on business trips.
Use recycled paper and refillable ink cartridges in your office printers and fax machines. Ink cartridges are expensive and using refillable cartridges will save you money. Find ways to cut down on your paper use, like not using a cover sheet on faxes. Using less paper saves money. These green business tips save two kinds of green.
The greatest natural resource any business has is its employees. Encourage your employees to come up with energy saving and eco friendly ideas. This green business tip should be obvious. Let your employees know that your are committed to environmentally responsible business practices.
In the current economic and political environment, using green practices and sharing green business tips is just good business. Consumers are looking for businesses that care about the world we live in. Going green is just good for business.