Using Resources with Consideration
We use up resources in everyday activities, unless you walk everywhere you use up fuel when you travel. Business' are one of the largest consumers of resources and energy.
In the twenty first century we have realized that we cannot continue to use resources in the same way we do today, we need to find more sustainable resources to replace our other currently unsustainable resources.
New Ways of Approaching Business
Some business say they want be more "Eco-friendly" and reduce their "carbon foot print" or be "carbon neutral". All these terms mean they want to work with as little resources as possible.
The term carbon neutral means producing and removing the same amount of carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) from the air. This is a sustainable business practice.
What are the main resources businesses use?
The typical resources used by a business are:
In supermarkets most of the waste comes from food which cannot be sold as it has passed its sell by date.
How Resources can be saved
Paper
Printer Ink and Cartridges
Electricity
Fuel
Problems with Environmentally Friendly Practices.
Some employees will need to be convinced that it is important that the practices the business decides on are carried out. Some workers might not want to change their work practices.
We use up resources in everyday activities, unless you walk everywhere you use up fuel when you travel. Business' are one of the largest consumers of resources and energy.
In the twenty first century we have realized that we cannot continue to use resources in the same way we do today, we need to find more sustainable resources to replace our other currently unsustainable resources.
New Ways of Approaching Business
Some business say they want be more "Eco-friendly" and reduce their "carbon foot print" or be "carbon neutral". All these terms mean they want to work with as little resources as possible.
The term carbon neutral means producing and removing the same amount of carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) from the air. This is a sustainable business practice.
What are the main resources businesses use?
The typical resources used by a business are:
- Electricity
- Paper
- Printer Ink
In supermarkets most of the waste comes from food which cannot be sold as it has passed its sell by date.
How Resources can be saved
Paper
- Consider whether a document needs to be printed; some documents can be transferred electronically by email.
- Print on both sides of the paper.
- Use recycled materials, recycled paper.
Printer Ink and Cartridges
- Consider whether something even needs to be printed.
- Use refillable cartridges.
- Recycle old cartridges.
- Some charities will collect and recycle ink cartridges.
Electricity
- Turn off all equipment at night.
- Turn off computers not in use, instead of leaving them on standby.
- Use a thermostat to control heating and turn it off completely overnight.
- Replace air conditioning with natural ventilation.
- Use low-energy light bulbs and make more use of natural light.
Fuel
- If goods are delivered in vans or lorries, low-energy vehicles could be considered.
- Company cars must not have large engines that consume a lot of petrol.
- Encourage employees to travel to work by public transport, bicycle or walking.
- Encourage car sharing.
Problems with Environmentally Friendly Practices.
Some employees will need to be convinced that it is important that the practices the business decides on are carried out. Some workers might not want to change their work practices.
- Some changes, such as investing in low-energy vehicles or low-energy equipment, meaning spending quite a lot of money.
- It can take a little more effort to carry out some of these guidelines; some people might prefer to work as they used to do.
- Removing air conditioning or reducing heat could create resentment among some employees.
- Some employees might feel that it is not up to their employer to suggest that they do not drive to work.