How Can Modern Businesses Help the Environment?

You’ve no doubt heard it a million times. The environment is in danger and we need to be doing everything we can to be protecting it. People may have enjoyed denying this for a while, but it’s time dismiss these deniers. The evidence is in.

Unfortunately, it seems that everything has some terrible effect on the environment! So what are we to do? Well, right now, the best thing that can happen is for businesses to take steps. The environmental damage that everyday people do during regular activities is certainly not negligible. But the fact is that it pales in comparison to the effects that businesses inflict on the environment. Compared with what businesses do to the environment, everyone else is estimated to do about 3-8% of the measurable damage!

So how can workplaces help tackle these problems? Thankfully, there are measures than can be taken in every field. Not only will they help protect the environment – they’ll also help you cut costs!

Offices

The paperless office was predicted back in the sixties when imagining a utopian business future. But it hasn’t quite happened yet. It will probably never happen. Paper is way too useful! But businesses do need to do their best to reduce their paper usage. Tighter restrictions need to be put on printing. Only print if you absolutely need it. Move what business documents you can to computers. With so many online collaboration tools out there, you’ve not got much excuse!

Outside of these measures, you need to be taking care of your trash effectively. About 90% of the waste an office produces is recyclable. Act accordingly!

Farming

Farmers have a particularly big responsibility here. The food industry is the biggest polluter in the world, and farming is a large part of this. It has much to do with the production of meat and maintaining of livestock. The amount of water and fuel it takes to keep this industry alive is staggering.

This unsustainability is being tackled by many companies. Particularly in the salmon farming industry, steps are being taken to farm safely and responsibly. In agricultural arenas, processes such as precision farming and balanced fertilization are being used. These help farmers keep up with yield requirements while cutting down on nitrogen use and soil deformation.

Schools

People forget that educational facilities are businesses too! And the positive impact a school can have on the environment is not to be underestimated. You may have guessed the main reason already. They’re perfect places to educate people about the importance of looking after the environment!

And it’s certainly needed, as younger people perhaps don’t understand the implications quite so well. They’re more likely to throw their litter around, for example. But they’re less likely to driving cars or using massive amount of electricity the way adults often do. (At least, we hope the younger kids aren’t driving!) So education programs about the environment are crucial at schools. Outside of educational programs, many other measures can be taken. Waste policies similar to that found in progressive offices need to be put in place. Reducing paper usage and making sure students have easy access to recycling facilities are crucial steps to take.