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Small Eco-Friendly Business Choices

Mikkie Mills
As you think about ways you'd like to improve your business, deciding to go green is always a wonderful thing. Small changes might not save all the rain forests at once, but they can certainly do their bit to help.
As you get used to writing the new date on everything and try your best to keep the resolutions you've recently made, one change that you should consider the next year is to become more environmentally-conscious in your small business. Your say is the final word in all decisions, so what are some small ways that you can help your company can go green?

Work Vehicles That Are Kind to the Planet

Your carbon footprint might not make a big difference on its own, but everybody's carbon footprints combined make for a choking ozone layer. If you or your employees drive company vehicles, why not swap out the traditional gas-guzzlers for something better for Mother Earth?
Even if you're a truck driver, the best truck driver job is one done safely and aware of all the risks, emissions and toxins not excluded. Install modifications or add-ons to your semi to help it run cleaner and more efficiently.
Many car companies are doing their part to keep the environment green, but swapping out an entire fleet of vehicles all at once can be pricey. Research brands that you think would be a good fit and upgrade as funds allow.

Make Your Office Paperless

As years spin by, there is less physical paper in the world as everyone depends more on technology. Everything from job applications to entire novels are available in a digital format on some kind or another, which means fewer trees are being cut down to make paper.
Since an estimated 5 billion people worldwide have a smartphone, chances are digital options are more convenient for most people anyway. Think of some ways that you can help your workplace go paperless.

Direct Deposit

Instead of sitting down, writing a physical check, forcing your staff to go to the bank and waste all that paper, consider an easier way. Direct deposit means the only interaction with the bank is at midnight when funds transfer from your business account to your employees' account. Quick, easy, and best of all there is no paper involved.

Stop Printing Everything

Business memos? Staff meeting notes? TPS reports? There are so many things that you print. Think of all the paper you save by emailing rather than printing: Instead of handing meeting agenda, send it on mail. Before you print anything, ask yourself if it could be shared on internet.

Try Applicant Software

Job applications can be long and tedious, and the fact is there isn't always enough room to fill out all the information when you've got a sheet of paper in front of you. Make it easier on yourself and job applicants by investing in softwares that will help to streamline your hiring process — with nary a shred of paper found.

Get Your Lights Up To Par

Traditional office lighting isn't always most glamorous, but eats up a lot of electricity and uses a ton of energy. Save both by installing motion lights: Fitted with sensors, they gauge the movement in the room and turn on or off depending on whether there's activity or not. If that's too expensive, another option is dimmer switches.
These are easy to install and can be a better option if you don't need glaring fluorescent lights all the time. Also, don't forget to swap out your traditional lightbulbs for LEDs. Not only are these super bright, but they use about 75% less than everyday lightbulb.
Bettering yourself and your company is a great goal for coming year. As you think about ways you'd like to improve your business, deciding to go green is always a wonderful thing.