7 Ways To Build An Eco-Friendly Parking Lot

Julie Starr • March 30, 2022



Many commercial buildings can benefit from having a parking lot for customers and employees. But have you considered the environmental impact that your parking lot could have? How you use the land for parking could affect the local ecosystem, your company’s carbon emissions and even the energy efficiency of your business. Below are just a few different tips for building an eco-friendly parking lot. 

Make room for trees and plants

While you may have limited land to turn into a parking lot, you should think twice before simply covering it all in asphalt. Allowing some room for trees, plants and grass will help to oxygenate the air and support local wildlife. This could be something as simple as growing a few bushes around your parking lot or planting a few trees around it. You may even be able to arrange your parking lot around any existing trees in order to preserve them. 

Opt for local gravel

A gravel driveway is generally more eco-friendly than an asphalt driveway as it relies mostly on natural or recycled stone. Some gravel companies import their stones from abroad, which of course does result in added carbon emissions. Using local gravel can help to reduce your company’s carbon footprint. You may even be able to take some from a local beach if you’re based near the coast. 

Opt for pervious concrete

 

Concrete and parking lot striping isn’t completely environmentally-friendly due to the way it is made, however, it is often made from natural materials, making it potentially greener than many synthetic surface options. One of the most eco-friendly forms of concrete to use is pervious concrete. This concrete allows water to pass through it. This can prevent puddles and flooding, as well as hydrating the earth below. This prevents the roots of plants around and in your car park from being starved of water. 

 

Seal your asphalt

Asphalt is often favored as a parking lot material because of its durability and affordability, however, it isn’t particularly eco-friendly. It does require less energy than concrete to produce but can produce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can pollute the air. Asphalt can be made more eco-friendly by sealing it. This preserves the life of asphalt for many years, reducing the need for repairs (which often requires extra transportation and production of asphalt). This could make it a greener investment than concrete. There are companies such as South Central Sealing and Paving that can install and seal asphalt for you. Any necessary repairs may be worth carrying out first. 

Use VOC-free paint

When it comes to painting your parking lot, it could be worth considering the type of paint that you use. A lot of paint produces high levels of VOCs, which are not good for local air quality. Fortunately, there are many paints nowadays that don’t produce these chemicals. Such paints may even be biodegradable. These are a much better choice for those that want to maintain an eco-friendly parking lot. 

Add EV charging stations

Electric vehicles are better for the environment than petrol and diesel engine vehicles. However, the lack of EV charging stations has put many people off from making the switch. Adding EV charging stations to your parking lot could be a great way of attracting and encouraging more EV users. Many places around the world now offer grants to businesses looking to install EV charging stations on their premises. In other words, you may be able to install a charging point for free. Think carefully about which bays to play chagrin stations in and signpost these clearly. This post features some information about where exactly to install EV charging stations in your parking lot. 

Install solar panel canopies

Solar panels are an eco-friendly source of power. They can also save owners money on their energy bills – instead of having to pay a supplier, you can rely on your own free electricity supply instead. Of course, they do cost quite a bit of money to install, however you’ll make your money back in the long run by not having to pay energy bills. Most businesses install solar panels on their property roof, however, there could be another option – installing solar panels in your car park. Solar panels could be added to the top of canopies, allowing cars to park in the shade while helping you to generate your own electricity. You could even use these solar panels to supply charging points with electricity. This Yale Environment 360 article goes into greater detail about why solar panel parking lot canopies are a good idea. 

 

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.

How Outsourcing Services Can Help Your Business Advance Sustainability Goals

By Julie Starr • April 20, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative. From shifting customer expectations to regulatory momentum and investor pressure, today’s competitive landscape demands more than short-term cost savings. Companies are being called to demonstrate leadership by embedding sustainable practices across their value chain. For many organizations, this transformation can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Strategic outsourcing can unlock both environmental benefits and operational efficiency—helping your company do more with less while strengthening its sustainability performance. By partnering with service providers who specialize in sustainability, you can streamline operations, reduce environmental impact, and build trust with customers, employees, and investors alike. Below are some key areas where outsourcing can support your sustainability journey. Green Energy Consulting Services Are you wondering how to lower energy consumption without impacting business performance? Green energy consultants specialize in reducing carbon footprints through practical, scalable solutions. These experts analyze your energy usage and identify opportunities like switching to renewables, upgrading to energy-saving systems, or adopting smart technologies. Outsourcing initiatives such as solar panel installation or wind-powered electricity procurement signals your organization’s long-term commitment to environmental leadership. And as with many sustainability investments, the result is not just impact—it’s also efficiency and cost savings. Framed in the right way, these actions can become powerful stories that demonstrate your company's values to customers and stakeholders. Sustainable Supply Chain Management A sustainable supply chain is essential for companies aiming to lead in today’s circular economy. Third-party logistics providers and supply chain consultants can help in auditing your supply chain to uncover inefficiencies, and recommend improvements aligned with eco-conscious goals. By outsourcing this function, you gain access to experts who help embed sustainability into procurement practices—using local materials, reducing waste, and improving freight efficiency. Many providers can also connect you with suppliers that share your environmental standards, enabling a cohesive approach to sustainable sourcing. These supply chain enhancements not only reduce emissions and waste—they also reinforce your brand’s environmental credibility across the stakeholder ecosystem. Eco-Friendly IT and Cloud Computing Running a tech-intensive business? Traditional on-site data centers are energy-intensive. Outsourcing IT infrastructure to green cloud providers can dramatically lower your environmental impact. Cloud vendors who use renewable energy for data storage and server operations offer an efficient alternative to on-premise solutions. They also reduce hardware waste and improve system performance—making them both eco-friendly and future-ready. For organizations prioritizing digital sustainability, this move can be a cornerstone of your environmental strategy—and a strong signal of innovation to your stakeholders. Sustainable Junk Removal Services Sustainable operations include responsible waste management. Outsourcing junk removal to companies that prioritize recycling and charitable donations keeps unnecessary items out of landfills and extends the life cycle of materials. These services allow businesses and individuals to declutter responsibly, supporting both environmental and community well-being. It’s a simple but visible action that can reinforce your sustainability message both internally and externally. Carbon Offsetting Services Not all emissions can be eliminated—but many can be offset. Specialized outsourcing firms help companies calculate, track, and neutralize their carbon emissions through strategic reforestation projects , renewable energy, or community resilience projects. These providers simplify the path to carbon neutrality, enabling your business to meet emissions targets without overwhelming internal resources. When shared transparently, these efforts can build credibility and show stakeholders your commitment to real climate action. Green Building and Facility Services For organizations with a physical footprint, outsourcing to green building service providers supports both environmental and business performance. Whether you're retrofitting with energy-efficient systems, reimagining interior layouts for LEED certification, or upgrading lighting and HVAC, retrofitting to eco-friendly office design supports long-term thinking. Outsourcing this expertise ensures you’re not only meeting today’s expectations—but also building for tomorrow’s workforce and market needs. Outsourced R&D for Sustainable Products Developing greener products doesn’t need to be done in-house. By outsourcing R&D to sustainability-focused experts, your company can bring innovative ideas—like biodegradable packaging or low-impact materials—to market faster. These partnerships inject creativity and specialized knowledge into your product development pipeline, helping you stay ahead of regulatory shifts and consumer demand. More importantly, they support a brand narrative rooted in innovation and responsibility. Conclusion: Aligning Profit with Purpose Sustainability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitiveness, resilience, and leadership. Outsourcing to sustainability-minded providers allows your business to focus on core strengths while accelerating progress toward environmental and ESG goals. From energy and IT to supply chain and product development, these partnerships offer a smart path forward—one that balances operational efficiency with lasting impact.  At its best, sustainable outsourcing isn’t a sideline strategy. It’s a meaningful part of how forward-thinking companies align profit with purpose—and demonstrate what’s possible when businesses lead with values.