These days, the financial landscape isn’t the only environment your business needs to be aware of. Strong environmental policies are helping companies reduce costs and attract new customers. (They also help you feel good about yourself!)
According to the survey of almost 11,000 business owners conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) in late 2007 found that: 83 percent have taken steps to conserve energy by cutting electricity usage and renovating, more than 70 percent have introduced or expanded recycling at work and about a third use environmentally friendly products.
- Where to start? Well, green sights will depend on the nature of your business. For instance, if you are involved in manufacturing of any sort, reducing emissions and waste products should be at the top of your list. Of course, you’ll make sure you are adhering to all government regulations – municipal, provincial and federal. But don’t stop there – listen to community concerns. It’s not always enough to do the right thing; you must be seen to be doing the right thing. Get involved in local environmental causes – even if they don’t relate directly to your business. The resulting halo effect could stand you in good stead should you ever accidentally slip a little yourself.
- Handle with care – Even if you don’t manufacture the products you distribute, you still have environmental responsibilities. Take the case of a business that imports and distributes pharmaceuticals. There is still going to be testing and validation required in Canada. How you dispose of the resultant waste will reflect on your commitment to the environment.
- Look for the EcoLogo – One way to ensure that you’re suitably green is to look for the EcoLogo when you’re buying new office equipment and supplies. Launched by the Canadian federal government in 1988, EcoLogo is North America’s most widely recognized and respected certification of environmental leadership, serving buyers and sellers of green products in Canada, the United States, and around the world.
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