If you are a business owner, you have an even higher responsibility to be environmentally efficient as you are seen as role models in the community and to your employees. If you own your own building, that responsibility heightens as commercial buildings in the U.S. are the greatest user of energy (even greater than the transportation, industrial, and residential segments). If you are a business owner with your own building, here a few things you can be doing to be a better steward of your community and the environment.
Recycle
According to Kerry Fishbaugh, the concept of recycling at your business may seem daunting, but her company RecyclePal has made it very simple and very affordable. This is a unique recycling program unlike anything in the Omaha/Metro area. No room for another dumpster on your property? No worries! For small businesses (50 employees or fewer) RecyclePal provides 30-gallon fiber bags that fit comfortably next to the copy machine or in the break room where most of the recyclable materials are generated. Now you can recycle all your fibers (paper, catalogs, magazines, cardboard), plastics, aluminum and tin.
They offer weekly collection during normal business hours and replace filled bags from designated areas with new ones. No mess, no sorting, no contamination! Just think, the more you recycle, the less trash you have. You can cut back on your trash bill and do the right thing for the environment. RecyclePal offers training to your staff as well as materials for you to post to help remind employees to recycle. For as low as $8.99 per month your business can be a green company.
Reuse
Similar to recycling, reusing as much as possible in your office can make a big impact not only on your environment but also your bottom line. Does your staff use plastic silverware for lunch? How easy would it be to wash it and use it again rather than throwing it away and buying new? Do you use plastic cups or Styrofoam coffee cups? Consider buying each employee their own high quality mug and glass and eliminate the disposables. Ink cartridges are another opportunity for big savings. Depending on how much printing and copying you do in your office, your ink cartridge bills can really add up (and the old cartridges that go into the landfill are also a problem). Instead of throwing them away, consider taking your cartridges to Cartridge World, where they can be refilled and reused. Good for the environment and, since it’s less expensive than buying new, good for your bottom line!
Install ‘Green’ Technology
According to Pat Killeen of Engineered Controls, 80% of commercial building energy is spent on heating, ventilating, air conditioning and lighting—all of which can be controlled by technology that is available today. Pat says, “Today, most all building owners want their facilities to be environmentally responsible and healthy places to live and work. They also want to optimize the energy usage without compromising comfort. Together a tall order to accomplish, but at Engineered Controls that technology is available today. Furthermore, we are partnering with Honeywell, a major energy products company, that is spending sizable research and development funds on developing new products that will improve our lives AND reduce energy.”
Companies like Engineered Controls have a big part to play in getting new and existing building owners in the green building movement. Building control technologies play a big role in assisting homes and buildings in meeting the LEED requirements. Taking into account that lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) accounts for nearly 80% of a home or building’s energy usage, you want to make sure you are maximizing the energy options available. Engineered Controls can assist in total building control with occupancy sensors to control lighting, optimize HVAC system performance, monitor and control energy usage, monitor and control carbon dioxide or CO2 by way of introduction of fresh air into homes and buildings and many other ways to help provide a healthier and more energy efficient environment for occupants.
Switch to ‘Green’ Lighting
Bill Swarbrick, President of Superior Lighting, a leading Omaha based commercial lighting company, has influenced significant growth in green lighting in the Midwest. ”Usually our area is one of the last to follow trends, yet our customers in 2009 went green in 32% of their lighting requirements as compared to 11% in 2005. They realized reduced energy costs, longer light life, less maintenance and supported their corporate and business responsibilities to the environment all at the same time,” commented Bill.
“Local companies like Omaha Box, OPPD and Hy-Vee, joined national companies such as Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart in reducing their energy usage near or above industry projections of 85% over incandescent and 50% less than CFL,” added Swarbrick.
Ron Rosso, president of Nebraska Machine Products Co. in Omaha, reports he converted to “Green Light” technology from Superior Lighting in his 23,000 square foot facility. His energy savings annually were 45749 KW with a cost reduction of $5,900 and a tax deduction of $8,000. “Great savings with a 2.9 year ROI and I helped the environment,” said Rosso.
“Superior Lighting will continue to lead the way as the Midwest’s authority in this very important effort to minimize energy usage while reducing costs for our customers that ultimately affects everyone on the planet,” says Swarbrick. “We will shortly be announcing a new division to spearhead and support this global initiative right here in the Midwest. Industry projections indicate that within this decade, regular lighting will be reduced to a niche market with very few installations.”
Work with a ‘Green’ Contractor
If you’re considering remodeling your office or building a new one, you should certainly consider working with a contractor who is well-versed in new, environmentally friendly building trends that will help you create an office that is better for the environment and for your employees. Contractors such as EAD and Ayars & Ayars have the experience and training needed to provide you with products and services that will help you achieve your ‘green’ goals.
When choosing a contractor for your new project, make sure you spend the time interviewing those who will be involved. You should find out if they have experience in the type of project you’re hiring them for as well as getting a bid on the project and learning about their certifications and other pertinent information. Remember, you will be working with this company for a long period of time, so you should always make sure you have the same goals and that you get along before you hire them.
Encourage Your Employees to be “Green”
As the owner of a business, your employees look up to you. They will follow your lead and it’s no different when it comes to implementing green practices. If they see you leaving your lights on all night in your office and throwing away your disposable silverware after lunch every day, it’s likely they will do the same thing. Be a role model for your employees and incorporate environmentally friendly activities into your daily life. You can also put in place a reward system within the office that will help encourage your employees to be ‘greener’. Perhaps you can have a reward for the person who makes the biggest environmentally friendly change in their life or you can have a contest to see who can recycle the most in a certain time frame.
The important thing to realize is that in businesses, changes must start at the top. Model good environmental behavior and encourage your employees to do the same.
Being a business owner entails a lot of responsibility. You not only have to take care of your clients and your employees, but you must also set a good example for others in the community. Leading the way in environmentally friendly practices is an excellent way to show your commitment to the environment and to the community as a whole.
This concludes the end of our Green Series.
If you would like to be a part of the Green Series for next year, please contact
Angelaw@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com
or 402-466-3330