Not every company has the resources to build an entirely new, energy-efficient green office space. That does not mean that your business can’t go green. There are numerous affordable ways to make small changes that when added together with others doing the same, will make a big difference. Whether your business already has an office space or you are looking for a new home for your company, here are a few low-cost solutions for going green.

1. Know Your Carbon Footprint

The place to start your green initiative is with the right information. Customers and clients want to know what your business is doing to help the environment. Start by figuring out your carbon footprint with the EPA’s free carbon calculator.

2. Save Money By Using Less Electricity

Going green is about more than the environment. It saves you money, too. Turning off lights and computers overnight and on the weekends dramatically reduces your energy bill. Maximizing natural lighting is another way to cut back on artificial lights.

Switch to high-efficiency bulbs for those lights that you do use. The energy savings outweigh the initial price and reduce your impact on the environment.

3. Print Smart

Printers are incredibly wasteful. Do a little research into your printing services provider. Select companies that use sustainable methods and buy recycled paper only for your office.

Use email and electronic records to reduce your paper usage. Not only is this green, it is far more cost efficient than using USPS or printing. For notepads, encourage the use of scrap paper instead of office supplies.

4. Make Recycling Easy

The best way to encourage company recycling is to make it as easy as possible for your employees. Placing recycling bins by desks prevents laziness from getting in the way of your recycling goals.

5. Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies

Health benefits aside, using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies is another easy place to integrate green policies into your office. Buy eco-friendly cleaning agents and recycled paper cleaning products, or employ a cleaning company who shares these values.

Making big changes is hard. Taking these small steps puts your business and the world on the path to a cleaner, brighter future. For more information on finding a green office space near you, contact us.