By Elizabeth Garlow (ACCION USA Business Development Associate)

Taking little green steps can make a big difference for the environment and for your business.  Many small business owners fear that it is too costly to adopt eco-friendly practices. In fact, eco-friendly products, services and practices can reap cost savings and profit gains, while building customer loyalty and contributing to a healthier planet.

Think simply, save money, improve your public image, and enhance your efficiency and productivity by starting with these five steps to green your business. 

1.   Get an Energy Audit

• An energy audit is an easy way to know exactly what changes you can make to be more energy efficient and save money for your business.
• An energy auditor is a professional who can quickly assess the energy usage of your business.
• Call your utility company and find out which energy auditor they work with to take advantage of free or low cost audits!

2.   Make energy-conscious investments

• Consider following through on recommended changes from your energy audit report.
• If you are in need of replacing old equipment, consider energy-efficient brands. Energy efficient-approved products are labeled, so you know you're getting an energy efficient product.
• Use energy saving light bulbs, such as Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs. CFL bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer which can result in savings of $30 per light bulb.[1]
• If you're not using a piece of equipment, don't just turn it off, but unplug it too! This can reduce energy usage by 25%!

3.   Get green with your products

• Consider buying eco-friendly products that are made from post-consumer or recycled material, bio-based, non-toxic, and locally produced.

4.   Back to the Basics: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• If your business doesn't have a recycling program in place, consider contacting your building manager or local trash collector to see what programs might be offered.
• Consider transferring newsletters and updates for customers online to save paper.
• Start a scrap paper pile and make sure you print double sided!

5.   Commit to Water Conservation

• Check your business space for leaks. Leaks can be detected by having a periodic shutdown of all water-using facilities and reading the water meter at intervals of the shutdown (for information on how to read your meter, go to www.lbwater.org).
• Install low flow devices such as vacuum flush toilets and faucets. .

With these five steps, you are well on your way to greening your business operations. Now, it's time to build awareness of your efforts. Start with your employees and customers by posting signs or including milestones in your communications. Don't ever let your green accomplishments go unnoticed! Good luck!

Click here to download our tip sheet on Being Green.

[1]  http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/safe-green-investments-47091801#ixzz0gZ4MhzgY