Protecting The Planet: Smart Ways To Make Your Cincinnati Business Sustainable

Cincinnati was recently ranked top third metro in the U.S. leading the way in sustainability, Site Selection’s most recent annual Sustainability Rankings reveals. Incorporating green practices into your business doesn’t just help the environment; it can also boost overall sales revenue by 20%, according to Harvard Business Review. Becoming eco-conscious will also give your business a competitive edge as customers are increasingly looking to make purchases that help protect their families and the future of the planet.

 

 

Using an eco-friendly energy supplier is one of the easiest and affordable ways to green your Cincinnati business. Many suppliers now generate power from sustainable, renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric. They offer green business contracts or tariffs, which partially or completely matches the total amount of electricity you use with the amount the supplier purchases from renewable energy generators. The excess renewable energy is then fed back into the grid and lowers the overall reliance on fossil fuels. You can also partner with sustainable businesses whenever you can. For example, green web hosts and eco-conscious raw material suppliers are options to consider.

 

 

Water waste is a serious problem across the U.S. and the wider world. For example, the average family typically wastes 180 gallons every week due to household leaks — That’s equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry. You can do your part to conserve water and prevent needless waste by adopting several simple yet effective measures in your business. For example, check regularly for pipe leaks in your building. Leaks typically occur under the building or inside walls, which can sometimes make them hard to detect. Fortunately, your water meter can help you out here; if there’s a high reading a leak may be present. Additionally, investing in automated touchless faucets, sinks, and toilets can significantly minimize water waste, as well as improve hygiene standards.

 

 

12.1 trillion sheets of paper are wasted by offices across the U.S. Not only is this money down the drain, but it also contributes to deforestation and energy and water waste. Making your Cincinnati business as paperless as possible can help the environment and even make your processes more efficient. Making the switch from paper bills to online billing, for example, eliminates paper waste and frees up physical storage space. Email receipts are also a convenient replacement for paper receipts. Sometimes, however, it’s not possible to go 100% paper free. In this case, make sure your business is supplied with recycled, sustainably-sourced paper. Extra green points if you can find a vendor local to Cincinnati like APC Paper or Saica Group, for example. 

 

Making your Cincinnati business more sustainable will help the environment and give you a competitive edge. Choosing sustainable energy suppliers and partners, preventing water waste, and going paperless are effective ways you can up your business’ green practices.