The skies aren’t just gray these days because of the weather. Despite years of scientific warnings, air quality continues to deteriorate on a global level. The situation is only going to intensify as more and more nations become fully industrialized. Will governments work to help reverse these trends? While an increasing number are taking leadership roles in addressing this problem, others are actually backing away from them. So who will step into this air quality breach? Increasingly, it is business interests that are doing so. Read on to learn more about how they are identifying and addressing air quality issues.

Managing All Pollution Sources Generated by a Business

When we talk about pollution generated by businesses, we tend to think of waste streams that are directly generated by a firm’s work. But there are all sorts of ways that can affect air quality. Businesses wanting to improve air quality should consider the ways in which they could be impacting it, which range from transportation to maintenance practices.

Outside and Indoor Air Quality

While outdoor air quality rightfully gets much attention, the indoor air quality of a workplace can often be much worse. There is much companies can do to improve air here, which includes changing work practices to reduce emissions, making changes to building designs and furnishings, and installing sensors and filters. And in order to get the most out of these changes, businesses should start by working with a firm that specializes in air quality and emissions control, such as Stephenson Environmental Management Australia. These firms will help businesses effectively find problems and develop solutions that work.

Work Hours

While pollution at any time is not good, emissions produced at key periods can affect air quality. To try to reduce their environmental footprints, more companies are now introducing “flex” hours for certain types of work. Not only does this staggered staffing lower energy costs and emissions for buildings, it can reduce air pollution during key atmospheric periods.

Transportation

The carbon dioxide emitted by gasoline burning vehicles is one of the greatest sources of poor air quality. Businesses can do their part to help reduce this by making wiser decisions concerning scheduling both ground and air deliveries. They can work to change the “transportation mentality” of employees as well. Encouraging and helping to provide car pool services, as well as offering incentives to use available public transportation can help to reduce pollution footprints caused by individual firms.

Tradition

Your company’s equipment and infrastructure may have gotten the job done for years, but what’s it doing to the environment? Making “green” upgrades to both equipment and practices aren’t just better for air quality. They can save companies tens of thousands of dollars with government incentives, rebates, and grants.

Improved air quality is certainly not only the responsibility of businesses alone. But in leading by example, these companies not only improve the environment for us all, but insure a lucrative business environment for years to come.