05/ 14/ 2007
by Marcia Passos Duffy
Going green is not only a feel-good proposition for small businesses, it may become a necessity in the coming years as fuel prices escalate and consumers (and even employees) become more green themselves--and want to do business (or work for) more environmentally conscious companies.
But how can a small company--which may not sell environmentally friendly products and services--get green? Here are five ways:
1. Buy a green fleet.
If you need a new company car (or truck) buy a hybrid vehicle. More models are becoming available to consumers every year and the incentives to buy these vehicles are increasing; the IRS has dozens of hybrid vehicles that qualify for a tax credit of up to $3,400 (see this article from IRS.gov for the latest details on this tax credit). For more information on hybrid cars visit www.hybridcar.com. You could also think outside the gas tank and give your own incentives to employees for taking public transportation or carpooling to work.
2. Replace old appliances with "energy stars."
When your old appliances die out, replace them with products that have "energy star" ratings (which is issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy). If you upgrade your lighting system, use compact fluorescent lights and high-efficiency light bulbs. Exit signs are now available in more energy efficient LED lighting. See energystar.gov for more information.
3. Recycle, reduce, reuse
Establish a recycling program not only for paper but also used computers and other equipment and try and buy recycled paper and other office supplies (there are many green office supply companies on the Web; just Google "green office supplies" for recycled, environmentally friendly and sustainable office products and paper). Your company can also refill computer ink cartridges rather than throw them away. Obsolete computers also can find a home with companies that, for a fee, will take old equipment off your hands and put them to good use (or properly recycle them). You can also log onto Earth 911 for more information on how to recycle your old computers (by state and city). You can even look up where you can donate your computer to a school or nonprofit.
4. Switch to renewable or high efficiency heating and cooling systems.
You may not want to install a wind farm outside your corporate offices, but you can make small changes that can add up in terms of fuel costs and goodwill among employees and your customers. If your businesses' heating and air-conditioning systems require repair or replacement, install high-efficiency units (sealed combustion boilers/furnaces with 90 percent or better efficiency and air conditioners with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of 13 or greater); install high-efficiency rooftop units; seal existing ductwork; install a geothermal heat pump; and install programmable zone thermostats. If you really want to go completely green, consider installing solar panels to provide heat and hot water (and you may become entirely energy self-sufficient.). There may also be tax rebates and other incentives available in your state for renewable energy. If you are a small business in a rural area you may be eligible to apply for a USDA Energy Grant which funds grants and loan guarantees to rural small businesses (and farmers) for assistance with purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements. Next year's grant money will more than double. For more information visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/
5. Eat food grown locally.
Did you know that your food travels an average of over 1,500 miles to get to your plate? A study in Iowa showed that a regional diet (with food grown in a radius of about 100 miles) consumed 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country. You can support local agriculture--and help reduce green house gases emitted by trucks used to transport food--by supporting your local farms and farmers' markets. You can start out by simply offering local fruit or vegetables in your company's cafeteria and move to offering meat and milk products. You could also encourage your employees to support their local farmers' market (there are 3,600 of them nationwide).
