Introduction

Environmental pollution is now a global concern. The amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere is alarming. Everyday, we see the effects of environmental degradation in global flooding, polluted air, contaminated sealife and proliferation of diseases. We wished ourselves and loved ones a cleaner earth. But the reality remains that pollution is getting worse everyday and we are all responsible. As individuals, we need to watch how we live. More important, as small business owners or entrepreneurs, we want to make sure that our business activities heal rather than hurt the earth.

So in this fight for a cleaner environment, small businesses have a big role to play. If you are considering running a startup or you already have a small business, here are 3 ways to actually go green.

1. Use power efficiently: Just like in many homes, some offices close while power appliances are left to run. This has a big effect on our environment. Leaving computers on and other electrical appliances running, while they are not in use results in unnecessary power consumption. An in most areas, power grids are feed from diesel engines. These engines release tons of harmful gases to the atmosphere. So if you run a small business, try to be energy efficient. As much as possible, conserve energy. Use energy-saving appliances such as bulbs and other gadgets. If any device or machine is not in use, disconnect them from or switch off the power source.

Other things to do include using settings on your computer that reduce power consumption. Try as much as possible to use less energy. Offices produce lots of waste such as liquid containers and other forms of packaging. Try as much as possible to send them to recycling plants instead of simply throwing them away. This will be a nice effort to save our environment.

2. Use less paper: Extensive use of paper is a huge way to hurt our environment. Millions of trees are cut down yearly for the production of paper, without equal re-planting projects. Cutting down trees reduces the oxygen content of air and increases CO2. So if your business could make do with less paper, it will go a long way. so instead of printing every document, why not leave some in soft copy. For example, proofreading a project is easier in print. But usually, the printed copy is disposed because its not needed in the long run after corrections have been made. Also use digital storage media like cloud services, hardware storage and other forms of electronic storage instead of having to print a every document in hardcopy. In addition to the cost of cutting down trees, paper waste contributes to a lot land pollution. SO when a business reduces its paper use, the environment is helped to heal.

3. Create awareness among your team and clients: Creating awareness is a big way to save the environment. It should start in-house. Your team should understand why certain ways of running the business needed adjustment. For example, they should learn how to conserve energy and use less paper. When you team understands that their action contributes to environmental decay, they are more willing to reduce your business's carbon footprint. Your clients should also be aware of your efforts to save the environment. They need to be aware of certain changes and how they are helping to save our environment. When you create awareness and let all parties know why the environment needs to heal, they will appreciate your efforts and likely support you.

Conclusion

All of us are resposible for the condition our environment finds itself in. We must do our part as individuals to cut our carbon footprint. But most important, we need to make sure that our business or startup has strategies - such as those mentioned above - to limit the rate of environmental pollution. We will have less environmental disasters. More important, it will leave a better future for our business and life.

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