GREEN LIVING: Going Green Without Going Broke

By Geoff A Sharp

Here's good news for small businesses that care about the environment but are afraid that going green will break the bank. Take a close look at the steps you can take that can help put your business on the path to greener practices.

1. Know Your Carbon Footprint

Step one begins with understanding your company's impact on the environment. Carbonfund.org offers a free evaluation of your carbon footprint based upon factors like the number of employees, their workday commutes, the size of your facility, and other physical attributes that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions - everything down to the number of computers you use.

Then, Carbonfund.org calculates a donation amount to cover the cost of counteractive efforts. The money is invested in certified third-party offset programs like tree-planting, recycling, and solar and wind energy. Carbonfund.org has registered over 1,000 businesses and 450,000 individuals.

2. Use Eco-Friendly Products

Be conscious of the products you use everyday when doing business. For example, a painting contractor can use paint products that have little or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Costing only a few dollars more per gallon, low or no VOC paints are safer for the environment.

3. Pursue Solar Energy Options

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 outlines enhanced tax credits for small businesses with great detail on how to make solar energy pay off for your business. To save electricity and money in your warehouse add skylights to increase natural light. This can be a relatively big investment but you'll see substantial savings on monthly electric bills for a lifetime.

4. Plant Trees to Offset Greenhouse Emissions

In addition to third-party certified offset organizations like Carbonfund.org, planting trees on your business property is an affordable - and attractive - way to offset carbon emissions. Make it a fun company activity and assign each employee their own tree.

5. Become Paperless

This is where most companies cringe because Intranet systems have a reputation of being cost-prohibitive for many small businesses. When a company researches this process they should weigh several factors. Look at cost, ease of use, implementation time and how the system could grow with your business. Ultimately, it will require hiring an expert Intranet firm who can take every paper file and convert it to a digital file.

6. Recycle

Recycling comes in many forms and will be different for each business. For example, if you specialize in residential and commercial painting you can partner with the Solid Waste Authority (SWACO) for recycling removal services. SWACO provides a free 90-gallon recycling container and free desk-side bins for employees as well. To find a similar organization in your area type "small business recycling + your city/region" into the search engine.

7. Reduce Waste

Ultimately, the concept of reducing waste becomes a way of thinking. Going paperless is a good way to reduce waste.

8. Insulate Your Facility

Your business can receive a modest tax credit for installing insulation or replacing old windows with new energy efficient windows. This can drastically decreased heating and cooling costs.

9. Use Energy-Efficient Vehicles

If your business requires a fleet of vehicles, make sure they have V4 or V6 cylinder engines.

10. Install Bee Boxes

Sensitive to recent reports on the negative effects of Colony Collapse Disorder within the global honey bee population, a team of employees installed and painted bee boxes at their company's home office. The disorder, caused by a combination of disease and shrinking habitats, has scientists concerned over maintaining worldwide pollination rates. Simple bee boxes costing a few hundred dollars attract bees, enabling the critical work of pollinating seeds.

Overall, the investments made by your company to go green will result in reduced costs, increased efficiency and - in some cases - modest federal tax credits, proving the ease with which small businesses can positively impact environmental health.

For more information about Sharper Impressions Painting and their green initiatives, go to http://www.sharperimpressionspainting.org.

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