Want a 'green' small biz? 5 tips

By Steve Strauss

Q: Steve - Like everyone nowadays, I'd like to make my business greener. Any tips? -- Bob

A: Whether it is Al Gore winning a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global warming or reports on melting polar ice caps, there is little doubt that climate change is changing the world of business.

There is great impetus to make businesses more environmentally friendly. But how do you tap into this new ethos and still make a profit? It's not that difficult to do.

Here are 5 ways to go green:

1. Change your light bulbs

By now, we have all seen those curly new bulbs called compact fluorescent light bulbs (or CFLs).They use 66 percent less energy than regular bulbs. Though they are more expensive, they will save you money as they last 13 times longer than normal light bulbs.

2. Reduce your paper consumption

Cutting back on paper helps in several significant ways. It protects forests, reduces landfill use and eliminates all associated energy costs that go into creating and disposing of paper.

Here are ways to reduce your paper use:

Have your copiers and printers print on both sides of the paper

Edit more on screen

Circulate memos via email

Turn used paper into scratch pads

Avoid fax cover sheets when possible

Use paper with at least 25 percent post-consumer recycled content

Use e-mail and voice mail instead of snail mail where appropriate

Turn old file folders inside out and reuse them

Shred newspapers, used paper and eco-friendly packaging

3. Buy green products

These days, an eco-friendly alternative can be found for almost any product. Our old friend the Internet has made it easy. Do a search for green or environmentally-friendly products and you will be amazed at how many things are out there. You may also want to check out these products portals:

www.Greenpages.org (note the .org)

www.Greenpeople.org

www.EcoBusinessLinks.com

Also, check out electronic equipment with the "Energy Star" label. This is a voluntary Environmental Protection Agency program that allows companies whose products are environmentally friendly and use less energy than standard products to market those products with the Energy Star label.

And it really helps. According to the Energy Star Web site, "If just one in 10 homes used Energy Star qualified appliances, the change would be like planting 1.7 million new acres of trees."

There are downsides to some green products. First, they generally cost more so shop around. Availability may be an issue, too.

4. Travel green

Of course telecommuting and teleconferences make sense as easy, inexpensive ways to reduce the impact of your travel, but there is plenty more you can do.

For one, you can become carbon neutral by buying "green tags" to offset your airline travel. Green tags support renewable energy technologies in an amount you choose (in this case an amount related to the distance you travel.) By buying green tags, you compensate for the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels related to your travel. You can buy green tags in many places, and again, a search would be in order.

5. Reduce your waste

It is estimated that the typical employee generates about a half-pound of paper waste every day. But if that half-pound were recycled, it would save the equivalent of one pound of greenhouse gas emissions. Waste reduction also makes smart business sense as it can save your business money through reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs.

There are all sorts of ways to reduce your waste: Use incoming shipping boxes for your outgoing packages. Use durable or biodegradable towels, tablecloths, napkins, dishes, cups and glasses. Recycle paper and junk mail. Instead of throwing stuff away, donate unnecessary items, supplies, food even. Install faucet aerators and low-flow toilets.

In the long run, greening your office doesn't cost, it pays.