How a Small Business Can Be Green and Save Money at the Same Time

More and more businesses are becoming aware of the impact that their daily actions have on the environment. They are also discovering that being environmentally friendly can potentially equate to big savings. But how does the smart business owner know where to start?

USA Today Small Business Columnist Steve Strauss has some simple tips to help green your business - just in time for Earth Day. Here are Strauss’ top recommendations that can even benefit your bottom line:

Use energy-efficient lighting.
Simply replace incandescent lights (standard, flood, halogen) or T12 (1 1/2-inch diameter) fluorescent lights with CFs or LEDs to reduce energy use. Strauss has seen how these inexpensive changes can reduce your power bill by up to 20 percent, and the new bulbs can provide better color and less flickering.

Use energy efficient equipment.
Invest in office equipment that is Energy Star-certified to ensure that it meets the Department of Energy’s green standards. A wide range of appliances for the home and office including computers, monitors, refrigerators and dishwashers are certified.

Save paper and space by using two-sided printing.
Use all-in-one devices that offer automatic duplex (two-sided) printing like the Brother MFC-9840. The duplex printing feature can reduce your paper costs, your necessary storage space (by using less paper for the same amount of documents) and may even save some trees. It’s a fast, robust machine that’s also cost-effective and Energy Star-certified. According to the Energy Star program, certain benefits can mean lower energy bills while even prolonging the life of an appliance. Visit EnergyStar.gov for more details.

Install motion sensors and timers.
Conference room and office lighting is often left on even when the room is not in use for hours. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, installing occupancy sensors in a 12,500-square-foot office can save $1,130 annually. Also remember that electronic equipment often continues to use electricity even if they are turned off but remain plugged in. To ensure that your equipment is not using additional electricity when it is turned off, consider plugging the equipment into a power strip with a timer.

Recycle your consumables.
Some retailers offer cash incentives to recycle your print cartridges, so Strauss recommends finding a local retailer that offers this service.

Purchase recycled paper products and materials.
Printing paper, Post-It notes, envelopes, folders, pads of paper are all available in recycled versions, typically for the same price. Some recycled paper prices are now equivalent to conventional paper due to increase in demand, refinement of the papermaking process and the significant reduction in energy and water needed to make recycled paper.

Investigate green power options.
Many local utilities offer customers the opportunity to buy renewable power that comes from wind farms and other sustainable sources, and the new stimulus bill includes a number of tax incentives for alternative energy sources. Talk to your building manager and accountant to see if solar panels or the purchase of power from other renewable sources makes sense for you.

Reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Shipping boxes, scrap paper, folders and other office materials can often be re-purposed. If not, be sure to have bins handy for recycling. If your bins are not clearly differentiated, be sure to label them with a P-Touch labeler so everyone knows the correct bins to use.

Rally the troops.
Create a “Green Team” of employees to come up with other ideas for greening your business. Many employees are passionate about the environment and this gives them an opportunity to activate around a cause they care about while improving your bottom line.

Attract sales leads.
Keep track of your progress and share results with local media. Positive press coverage can help you draw new sales leads and enhance your image among existing customers.

Going green and being energy efficient with your business is a great way to help the environment and potentially affect your bottom line in a meaningful way. For more information about Brother’s printers, all-in-ones and labeling systems, visit www.brother-usa.com.