5 Simple Ways to Make Environmentally Friendly Changes for Your Building

Julie Starr • February 28, 2022



Making more sustainable choices in business is something that more and more consumers are demanding from companies. It isn’t enough now to remove the use of plastic, for example, from your packaging or supplies; looking at your overall business practices, buildings, and environment can further cement your commitment and improve your customer relations at the same time. A recent study found that over
55% of people are willing to pay more for products or services from companies with a vested interest in promoting ethical or green practices . This further reinforces that consumer habits influence their spending and who they do business with.

If you are looking to make eco-friendly upgrades , it is essential to remember that to be fully sustainable; you need to use existing products where possible until they have reached the end of their lifespan or donate them to a facility that can reuse or recycle them. Then you can implement some or all of the following suggestions to your business and building.

Smart Lighting

Lighting has been a hot topic in the sustainability world for some time now. Old, traditional lighting systems are being replaced by more efficient and environmentally friendly lighting that also looks great.

What is Smart Lighting?

Smart lighting uses LEDs or other light-emitting diodes that can be turned on or off via an app or remote control. This can lead to a reduction in energy consumption which means lower bills for your business. What’s even better is that LED lights last longer and are more durable than old lighting systems, so you will not need to purchase new lights as often as before.

Smart lighting systems are computerized and connect to a grid that controls when light is on or off. This means you can set schedules for your lights so that they turn off automatically during the hours when no one is in the building. You can also set them to turn on automatically if someone walks by.

The best part about this system is that it uses sensors and motion detectors, which means it will only use electricity when necessary.

Use Asphalt for Roads and Car Parks

Road asphalt is a product that can be recycled and used as an alternative to concrete or bitumen. Not only is it cheaper than other construction materials, but it also has a lower environmental impact. Asphalt requires less energy to produce and will last longer than regular concrete. It’s one of the most sustainable building materials on the planet.

Work with an experienced asphalt and concrete contractor to apply new surfaces or pathways to external areas where required.

Improve Insulation

Insulating your business is a wise and cost-effective way to improve the environmental footprint of your building. A smart investment in insulation can reduce your heating and cooling costs, as well as boost your property value.

It’s not difficult to install insulation. Vinyl, foam, fiberglass, or cellulose are all affordable materials that can be added to walls and ceilings for increased efficiency. In addition, you might consider installing radiant barriers in attics and adding extra weather stripping around windows and doors.

The process of insulating a building or office space is an essential step in making it more eco-friendly. Improved insulation will help reduce the amount of energy used by the building during the winter months and summer months. This also saves money on utility bills for the building and the occupants. The energy savings from insulated buildings also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 20%.

Have A Preventative Maintenance Plan

One of the easiest things you can do to make your building more environmentally friendly is to have a preventative maintenance plan . That will mean regular checks and cleanings, correcting any nagging problems that may have been ignored before, and having building professionals come in regularly to do inspections. This will increase the lifespan of many parts of your building and keep your utility bill under control.

The best way to do this is to use software that can monitor and automate the process and keep detailed records. You can keep track of an asset’s age, previous issues, and maintenance history, as well as schedule any future appointments with the right software. A further advantage of using automated facility software is that it eliminates the need for paperwork orders and service requests, which tend to accumulate, get misplaced, or get thrown away. Additionally, your team’s efficiency will almost certainly improve, and you will eliminate paper waste as a result of the process.

Use Green Cleaning Products

Switching to green cleaning products is one of the easiest ways to make your business more environmentally friendly; instead of using harsh chemicals, which can impact the air quality in your building, use eco-friendly products that are safe for you and your employees. This will not only save money on long-term health care costs for employees who might be exposed to these chemicals, but it will also reduce the risk of workers’ compensation claims.

Another thing you can do is switch from disposable products to durable and reusable ones. This will help you avoid spending money on items that need to be thrown away after they’ve been used once or twice. Use refillable water bottles instead of disposable cups and coffee mugs, utensils made from biodegradable materials instead of plasticware, and cloth napkins rather than paper ones. You can even purchase durable supplies like pens, markers, and even paper, so you never have to worry about repurchasing new ones.

Conclusion

The green movement has infiltrated every facet of our lives, so it is not surprising that we see the same trend in the business world. We want to do everything we can to be environmentally conscious, and you can start by making some simple changes to your business.

No matter the size of your company, there are several small changes you can make to promote environmental friendliness.

By implementing these five simple changes, you can reduce your building’s environmental impact and make a positive difference in the world. The best part? You’ll also be saving money and time!

By Julie Starr December 17, 2024
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By Julie Starr December 16, 2024
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