The United States has tens of millions of companies, and while many organizations claim to be "going green," very few actually are. Even worse, a lot of these businesses are only compounding the environmental issues we face today.
How To Tell if a Company Is Environmentally Friendly
In business, there's nothing more important than the overall health and wellbeing of your employees. That's why you need an office space that welcomes your staff with a safe and productive culture, and this applies to all industries.
Great employers take things a step further. While the same principles of human health apply, business leaders go to great lengths to protect what's beyond the walls of the facility. They place emphasis on topics like sustainability and social responsibility.
Now, think about your company for a minute. Are you working for people who care about the environment at large? Do the higher-ups really want to make the world a better place?
If you're not sure how eco-friendly your employer is, put your detective glasses on and try these tips:
Visit Their Website
Contrary to popular belief, the internet is a great place to absorb information about your employer. The company website is basically an extension of the business. There, you'll be able to find out everything the business offers and stands for.
Just be careful, because some companies will sugarcoat their reputation. Look for transparent details like:
- Supply chain and production information
- Types of waste management initiatives
- What the company does to give back
- General ethics on sustainability
- Eco-friendly products used
Pay special attention to the “about” page. There, you'll find everything from the company story to core values and more. This is usually where the mission statement is posted as well. Whether it's a simple sentence or multiple paragraphs, this passage speaks volumes about what your organization believes in.
Check Social Media
Another great idea is to follow any company-related social media channels. See if your employer has an active Instagram page or YouTube channel. If so, check out the content to see if they're posting anything eco-friendly. These platforms are great for PR purposes, so if a company wants to promote what they're doing to protect the environment, this would be a great place to get the highlights.
Look for Specific Claims
Watch out for the vague and misleading product packaging. Some companies tend to hypnotize consumers with big, bold phrases like "good for the planet." It's a simple statement, but make sure to read the fine print for a further explanation.
When in doubt, look for concrete details on the product label. Something like "100% recyclable aluminum" seems a lot more trustworthy than "great for the environment." The first phrase reveals specific information about the product's material and functionality, whereas the second phrase might be hiding important information.
Assess the Packaging
Several companies market themselves as eco-friendly even when their products aren't. It may be time-consuming, but it's best to check out the product packaging prior to using a new item. Even recycled plastic packaging can be detrimental to our natural environment.
Check for recyclable materials such as aluminum, paper, and even glass. Not only are these items highly functional, but they have a much better recycling rate than any type of plastic produced.
Talk to Your Co-workers
Have a conversation with a few of your fellow employees. Be curious and show a genuine eagerness to learn from some of the more experienced members of the team. Ask about some of the recycling initiatives, the product packaging, and the overall stance of the company on sustainability. When you talk to real people, expect honest, sincere feedback from individuals who you can trust.
How To Build a Greener Business Environment
An eco-friendly business model is great for the bottom line. Whether you work at the corporate level or for a local organization, it’s best to be environmentally conscious. Companies that value the environment typically see more benefits, including:
- Higher cost savings
- Better customer relationships
- Stronger employee morale
- Increased waste reduction
You can harvest improvements in your culture with these seven tips:
Simplify the Commute
Over 76% of Americans drive themselves to work every day. On top of that, 9% of people carpool with someone else. That's an average of 115 million vehicles on the road. With so much congestion during rush hour, it's no wonder why air pollution is so high.
If your employees are local to the area, encourage them to bike or walk to work. By reducing the number of cars on the streets, you're playing a role that promotes better health in the workplace. Plus, it's a great form of exercise. The next best option would be a carpooling system for those with longer commutes.
Offer Work-From-Home Privileges
Remote work offers several advantages. The flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance are some of the more obvious perks, but it also creates the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment.
Consider a flex schedule that allows your employees a few work-from-home days a week. This simple rotation presents multiple environmental benefits, including:
- No commutes and fewer commissions
- Reduced power consumption
- Lower plastic waste
- Less paper use
Cut Back on the Plastic
Plastic pollution is a growing problem. Global plastic waste is at an all-time high with an average of 8 million metric tons polluting ocean life alone each year. By limiting access to plastic, businesses can help reduce waste while saving money. Most of all, this will help minimize environmental strain.
How to start? Offering eco-friendly brands and products are great alternatives. Encourage your team to utilize reusable hardware instead of single-use plastic water bottles, coffee mugs, and eating utensils.
Also, there are plenty of sustainable options for those looking for refreshments and great taste. Consider a Bang Energy Drink, Bang Keto Coffee, or VOOZ Hydration Sensation. Complemented by a wide variety of flavors, these ready-to-drink, grab-and-go beverages come in 100% recyclable aluminum, which is one of the world's most resourceful materials.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Conventional cleaning products are a huge liability to the natural environment. Household items like bleach, toilet bowl cleaners, and disinfectant sprays are littered with dangerous chemicals. Using these "resources" not only factors into ozone depletion, but it can cause damage to the air quality inside the workplace.
Fortunately, there are greener cleaning methods that help reduce pollution. Supply the office with eco-friendly soaps, detergents, and cleaning solutions. Using sustainable products with all-natural ingredients and minimal packaging helps fight landfill waste, while keeping your space in pristine condition.
Pro tip: Read the product reviews before ordering any items online.
Decorate With Plants
Plants serve an important purpose. While they add a nice aesthetic to the room, plants are much more than just a pretty centerpiece or windowsill decoration.
Plants act as natural purifiers and stress relief agents. They help absorb toxins in the air, thus helping to reduce indoor pollution. This can help alleviate airborne symptoms circulating around your office.
Plus, many university studies show higher workforce productivity in offices enriched with plant life.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
A lot of companies overlook the importance of energy efficiency. It takes a tremendous amount of power (and money) just to keep the lights on in your building. Now, factor things like heating, cooling, and ventilation into the equation. You need to keep these appliances in peak condition; otherwise, you might get slammed with expensive energy bills and carbon pollution.
If you're not optimizing your indoor environment, the environmental issues outside of the office get worse. Much of this stems from outdated equipment, poor insulation, and drafty windows. Luckily, there are eco-friendly ways to patch up these concerns. Begin with a thorough maintenance strategy.
Ultimately, routine care of your infrastructure is a must. By modernizing your lighting and mechanical systems, you’ll gain better indoor comfort and cost savings, while helping to mitigate energy waste in the process.
Create a Recycling Program
Most people want to work for a socially responsible employer. They want to be a part of a culture that gives back, and a company-wide recycling initiative gives your team an opportunity to make that contribution.
Pitch the idea of a recycling program to company stakeholders. By strategically placing recycling bins throughout the building, you provide a safe outlet for your employees to dispose of paper, plastic, cardboard, and Styrofoam items. In the long run, this aspect of your business helps preserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste, and conserve energy.
Bang Energy Pledges for a Future of Sustainability
Protecting the planet is of the utmost importance. Today and every day, we take a stand to preserve the Earth with environmentally friendly products and effective service and outreach. Whether it's the solar panels on our brand-new production facility in Phoenix or the beach clean-ups and recycling programs we lead around the community, Bang Energy always strives for a greener way of life.
We have a lot of exciting initiatives lined up this year. Follow us on Instagram, @BangEnergy to stay up to date on all our sustainability efforts!
References:
Tomer, Adie. “America's Commuting Choices: 5 Major Takeaways from 2016 Census Data.” Brookings, Brookings, 9 Mar. 2022, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2017/10/03/americans-commuting-choices-5-major-takeaways-from-2016-census data/#:~:text=Over%2076%20percent%20of%20Americans,hitting%20American%20streets%20every%20day.
Victoria, Felipe E., et al. “Plastics in the Ocean.” Ocean Conservancy, 13 Apr. 2022, https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/#:~:text=Every%20year%2C%208%20million%20metric,currently%20circulate%20our%20marine%20environments.
“Apa PsycNet.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-30837-001.
