Lead Your Scene and Keep it Green

Five environmentally friendly suggestions your business can implement to go the extra green mile

April is Earth Month, so to celebrate we’re sharing some tips from Jenn Schmitt, senior director of operations for Rhythm Energy, a 100% renewable energy company and one of our newest clients! These tips can help your business stay on top of its game while being environmentally friendly. Not only does recycling help keep the planet clean, but it also helps save energy! Did you know that recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a computer for 30 minutes, or tv for 20 minutes? Also, remember to properly sort your paper and plastic materials! It’s a bonus that most of these efforts will save money over time as well. Here are five environmentally friendly suggestions your business can implement to go the extra green mile.

1. Think Before You Print – The best option is to keep it digital and produce no physical waste but when a print job is needed, these tips will make it more environmentally friendly. One of the easiest ways to reduce emissions in the office is to use recycled paper. The production of recycled paper requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than virgin paper. By using recycled paper, you can reduce your carbon footprint while still printing the documents you need. Double-sided printing may not always be preferable, but by defaulting to it in the company’s printer settings, employees have to choose when to be less efficient. 

2. Don’t Leave the Lights On – Lighting is a significant contributor to emissions in the workplace. By switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, you can reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint. LED bulbs are an excellent option, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Motion sensors are inexpensive and can automatically turn the lights off when they’re no longer needed.

3. Reusable Office Supplies – Another way to cut emissions with office supplies is to choose products made from sustainable materials. For example, use refillable pens and markers instead of disposable ones. Choose binders and folders made from recycled materials and opt for reusable coffee cups and water bottles instead of single-use options. Purchasing branded mugs and stainless-steel cutlery is a one-time company investment which will reduce an office’s ongoing disposables ordering tremendously. Speaking of disposable products, make sure to choose paper instead of Styrofoam and biodegradable cutlery instead of single-use plastic. Don’t throw away the disposables that come with catering meals, many of the serving spoons are reusable and individual utensils can be used over time for those uncomfortable with the reusable options.

4. Office Recycling – The easiest way to keep recyclable office waste out of landfills is to have two recycling receptacles. One located in the kitchen for bottles and cans and another near the printer for paper. If the company uses a shredding company, then all the better because the shred box is recycled.

5. Coffee Composting – Composting food waste can be complicated and more of a commitment than a smaller company wants to try to take on themselves. A compromise solution is focusing solely on coffee grounds. An employee with composting can take the grounds weekly and add them in the appropriate proportion to their home pile.

Any of these steps are incremental to achieving a reduction in emissions that will serve our community with better air and water. All the better when the company can save money on office supplies and electricity costs simultaneously.

Ready to showcase your commitment to sustainability and lead your industry in environmental stewardship? Contact Paige PR today to learn how we can help you build a strong PR strategy that highlights your efforts and makes a positive impact. Give us a call or reach out to Paige Donnell at paige@paigepr.com to get the conversation started.

This article was published in the print edition of the Houston Business Journal on April 17, 2023.