Independent Business Awards 2024

How to Make Your Business More Sustainable With the British Government’s recent plans to commit £1.73 million towards backing businesses to help cut emissions – from introducing more plants into the office to carbon offsetting – what steps big and small can you take to level up your awareness, and reduce your impact on the environment? In the following release from domain hosting experts Fasthosts here are some simple steps you can take to becoming a more environmentally conscious and friendly business. Reducing e-waste In most business environments, electronics are the main way in which we complete our daily tasks. With that, comes a huge amount of waste when products stop working or go faulty. One way you can offset wastage is through buying your products from eco sources, and offering end of line solutions or buy-back plans. • Source your products from eco sources Buy products that are made from at least 80% recycled materials, and ensure that they are ‘energy smart’ to minimise electricity consumption. • Offer end of line solutions and offer tech buy-back plans When tech does eventually break down why not offer a buyback solution to make sure no office equipment gets thrown in the bin. • Invest in refurbished tech Opt for used and refurbished equipment. That way, you are extending the lifespan of existing products and reducing the demand for new product manufacturing, which conserves resources and minimises waste. • Partake in corporate recycling schemes Recycling schemes are a great way to save costs, and help the environment. By diverting waste from landfills, businesses can cut down on waste disposal fees, the need to purchase new materials all the while reducing pollution, and their environmental impact. Green website hosting All successful businesses need a website, but choosing the right domain host is the first and the most important step. When making your decision, opt for a green host that operates on green energy to power their data centres. Did you know that the internet makes more CO2 than air travel? By choosing data hosting powered by green energy sources, not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, green hosting is actually often more efficient, which helps you to lower your costs. Sustainability is a huge talking point, especially when it comes to business. In 2020, the UK’s commercial sector contributed 6% of all UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions. So while consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, businesses also now have a responsibility to become more green minded too. Add some greenery Indoor plants not only increase creativity, and overall mood they are also great at reducing air pollutants too. They are great at cleaning indoor air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, helping to reduce your office’s carbon footprint. Some of the best plants for this are the Snake Plant, which requires little water and removes air toxins, or the Pothos Plant that does great in harsh and inconsistent office lighting conditions.

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