Eight Tips on How to be a Greener Micro Business

Even though micro businesses are small in size, they can still have a big impact when it comes to conserving energy. With Earth Day around the corner (Sunday, April 22), it’s time to think about how small businesses can do their part to be more Green and reduce energy consumption.  Here are a few quick and easy things to start doing today that will have an impact tomorrow:

1. Don’t print — resist the temptation to print emails! Instead, create folders within your email, to file important messages. Use this suggestion as an incentive to create folders you will actually use.
2. If you must print, consider printing double sided. Set your printer features to print double-sided automatically and you won’t have to think twice about it. At least you will be using the whole page to print.
3. It’s so easy, but people often forget: Turn off your computer and printer at the end of the day! You’re not there, so why would your computer need to be ready to work? If you’re thinking, “My computer takes too long to start up in the morning,” use the time to get a cup of coffee or listen to voicemail.
4. Use those promotional notebooks you pick up at tradeshows and get from vendors. So what if they are not your logo or your vendor, they are perfect for jotting down notes and just think it is one less notebook you had to buy.
5. Consider giving employees reusable water bottles as gifts. That way you can reduce the number of cups you use and throw away.
6. Re- use boxes you receive your goods in and re-purpose them to send shipments to customers. Purchasing shipping boxes can be expensive and why not use the ones lying around your office.
7. Open the blinds! Let the sunshine in, on those sunny days turn off the lights. Natural light will improve your mood and save you a few dollars that day on the electrical bill. Leaving a light on is just like throwing away energy.
8. Unplug your phone charger. Phone chargers and other power adapters continue to draw power even if they’re not being used. It’s called “phantom power” – and believe it or not, it adds up to 5% of our nation’s power bill!

Want to learn more? A few weeks back in our Micro Business Roundup we included an article from Rhonda Adams of USA Today that includes more tips on how your small business can save energy and be green. The Department of Energy also has extensive resources online and information to consider as you look to make an impact this Earth Day!

Image: Clip art