Going green is not just a statement anymore. It is a necessity if we want to keep this planet inhabitable for the generations to come. That is a fact. It is not an opinion or a standpoint. It is a fact. And here are some ways in which you can reduce the carbon footprint that your business leaves. It will make a difference

1. Limit your printing

Paper kills planet. Making paper kills the planet and when you consider that more than 30% of the waste that is made is paper, it becomes even more daunting. In order to do something about this, you need to limit yourself and your employees when it comes to printing. Print only the essential documents and try and store more stuff electronically.

2. Start using e-documents

There are now tons of software that you can use to take care of your documentation electronically. You can make your electronic signature and use it for the majority of your invoices, contracts, proposals and so on. This will save a ton on paper.

3. Go green with promotional material

There are now companies that will make your promotional material from 100% recycled materials and materials that will have absolutely no carbon footprint. For instance, you can check out these environmental custom branded items that will be great for you and your clients.

4. Make your offices as green as possible

If you happen to find yourself in a situation where you are finding new offices or if you are remodeling your existing office, make sure that you go with all eco-friendly materials and construction methods that will both use recycled materials but that will also preserve energy and other resources in the future.

5. Institute a recycling office policy

Recycling is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and you need to make sure that you are going the whole way. Do not stop at just recycling cans and paper that comes through your office. Make sure that you recycle electronic as well. You can even help a charity this way.

6. Take advantage of Freecycle

Freecycle is a great online service where you can find stuff that other offices and people do not need and where you can help someone set up their office using the stuff you do not need anymore. You never know what you might find and how great your finds can be.

7. Work with green companies

If you really want to do everything you can about saving the environment, then you also need to be careful about who you do your business with. Try and find green suppliers and try and limit your interactions to companies that are as serious about the environment as you are.

8. Unplug everything

There is absolutely no reason why you should be wasting tons of energy with computers that are working even though no one is using them, various other devices that are just siphoning the electricity. If you really want to do everything you can, unplug the devices after work hours to make sure you are not leaking electricity.

9. Help people recycle

People want to recycle or at least they do not care if they are recycling or not. Make it easier for them to recycle than it is to just throw stuff out. Replace your garbage cans with recycling bins and you will do great.

10. Learn what more you can do

The ways in which businesses can help reduce their carbon footprint are constantly evolving and there are more and more new things that you and y our business can do. Make sure that you stay in touch and that you are never out of the loop.