The devastating impact that human life is having on our planet has never been clearer. Ensuring our lives and businesses are not directly contributing to this is essential if we want to keep enjoying the natural world as it is.
And the benefits of taking your business eco-friendly go far beyond helping to sustain our planet – a recent survey by Barclays found almost 75% of businesses experienced at least one commercial benefit after going green.
But where can you start? Here are some of our top tips for embracing your inner hippy, and making your small business eco-friendly. Groovy, man.
Go paperless
Going paperless is not just a faddy buzzword – it makes both environmental and practical sense. With so many things available digitally, from accounting software to cloud storage, to note-taking apps (and let’s not forget our tax affairs are soon-to-be online once HMRC’s Making Tax Digital arrives), it’s easier than ever to do away with paper. What’s more, you’ll soon find those bulky filing cabinets aren’t needed and can free up some well-needed space.
Literally turn your office green
Now you’ve got some more space, you need something to fill it. There have been dozens of studies that prove having plants in the office can have an enormous range of benefits for staff. From purifying the air to reducing stress, increasing productivity to noise reduction, plants are as important to a workspace as a printer or a water cooler.
Ferns, snake plants and spider plants are all hardy beasts that do well in office environments where light can be low or completely artificial, and will even survive under the care of the blackest of thumbs.
Pick your office suppliers wisely
Here’s where small differences can really add up. Little changes like only buying recycled paper or plastics, switching to an energy supplier that uses renewable energy, working with suppliers who share your green vision, or not purposely choosing disposable items for the office are all low-cost steps in the right direction that over time will have an enormous impact.
Take advantage of government schemes
Whilst a lot of the government funding for green schemes has dried up, their mercurial nature means there is always a new one round the corner. While we wait for the next one, you can claim capital allowances on low or zero-carbon tech that you buy for your company.
HMRC’s Cycle to Work scheme is still going strong after nearly two decades, which allows employees to buy tax-free cycle equipment through their employer for their daily commute. It increases employee health and decreases carbon emissions. Win-win!
Get some recycling bins
With landfills overflowing and mounting evidence of the harmful effects of plastics across the planet, there’s no excuse these days for not having a recycling scheme in place. It doesn’t even take much cash or effort. Once you’re up and running you can relax and enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling of making a real difference.
Educate staff
Getting everyone involved in your energy-saving endeavours can also pay off. Ingrain your desire for good environmental practice as part of your office culture, and staff will follow suit. Some gentle encouragement to switch off lights and office equipment at the end of the day can both save you money and help employees to think about their energy consumption outside of the office too.
We can help take your accounts digital, give us a call today – 01257 368963.
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