For every action, there is a reaction. By now most business owners and commercial facility managers are aware of the way their actions can affect the environment. Most of us have made some changes in one way or another to lessen our negative impact. Some of these are big, noticeable shifts, such as installing solar panels to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, large-scale changes are not the only steps a company or property can take to improve its ecological footprint. Even a collection of smaller actions can add up to an eco-friendly facility.
Building an energy-efficient facility requires careful planning and consideration of construction materials, design, and energy systems. It is recommended that a building complies with the nathers star rating system (or a similar rating system), which generally evaluates buildings’ energy efficiency and their overall impact on the environment. A building that meets the required criteria can achieve a higher star rating. The higher the rating, the lower the building’s negative environmental impact.
By reducing emissions, conserving energy, and saving money, energy-efficient buildings can help save the environment. In addition, it can improve the health and comfort of employees and tenants, as well as reduce the building’s overall operating costs. As a result, such buildings are more appealing to tenants and customers, which can enhance the property’s value and marketability.
The optimization of different processes with the help of SaaS could also be made eco-friendly. With the offerings available on deedster.com, you, as a business owner can shift the company’s trajectory to a greener horizon – you could ascertain the carbon footprint that you leave behind after a certain activity through calculated data; curated content can be derived to attain the latest findings in climate science; employees can embark on a transition to sustainable practices with the help of employee engagement tools. The use of such software can bring businesses as a whole to adopt sustainability approaches to stimulate small changes in the environment around the world depending on the diversity of clientele.
One of the simplest but most effective methods is to choose energy-efficient lighting options. Using retrofit kits to replace existing fluorescent or incandescent fixtures with LEDs can significantly reduce the amount of electricity a building consumes. This change not only saves resources but also has the potential to reduce utility costs. Another important step is taking advantage of available daylight. Opening the blinds or installing skylights may let you turn off artificial lights at certain times of day.
Office supplies are another area where a few simple changes can make a big difference. Many offices have chosen to go paperless, for instance. This means far fewer documents are printed, which conserves precious natural resources. Choosing to recycle paper or other packaging used throughout your property prevents waste from ending up in landfills. Whenever possible, opt to buy supplies that are made from recycled materials as well.
Making your facilities more ecologically sound does not have to involve a grand, sweeping gesture. You may be surprised how many of the actions you can take are relatively easy. To learn more about what you can do, take a look at the accompanying infographic.
Author bio: Dan Dulik is Vice President of Marketing at Litetronics, manufacturer of commercial lighting products, including bulbs and a full line of fixtures and retrofit kits. An alumnus of DePaul University’s Graduate School of Business, he has more than 15 years of experience in B2B and B2C marketing.
