Life on this planet may have existed for eons, enduring one catastrophe after another, but it’s nevertheless a fragile and precious thing.  Subsequently, the pollution and harmful practices we take part in can cause major damage to the natural world.  

However, we have it within our means to change things for the better, creating a world that’s healthier for us as well as more amenable to all of the wonderful species that inhabit this planet.  Business and industrial practices have a lot to do with the environmental problems facing our world, so here we’ll discuss a variety of ways that businesses can make a more positive impact on the environment.

Businesses Going Green – Designing Them Right:

Humans are extraordinarily adept when it comes to innovation and creativity.  We’re constantly creating new and better ways of doing things, or more advanced technology that completely opens up opportunities for creating things we never thought possible.  

This innovation has been rigorously applied to commercial and industrial construction, allowing us bigger and better opportunities to design eco-friendly spaces.  One rather surprising feature of green building is to feature … well … something green.  More and more commercial buildings are creating green zones on roofs as well as walls.  These living components of the building help to provide a natural insulation that reduces heating and cooling costs.  

What’s more, they also help to cut down on urban heat.  Urban areas tend to be so much hotter because of all of the building materials that either absorb heat or reflect it down to the streets below.  Vegetation transpires, or lets out evaporated moisture, which in turn helps to cool the surrounding area, meaning that urban spaces can seem a little less like heat traps.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the term “graywater,” and, if not, that’s fine: You’re about to learn a thing or two about it.  Graywater is a term applied to the water garnered from a rainwater catchment system. Businesses going green should consider this option as graywater can be used for sprinkler systems, cooling systems, and even toilets.  

For a commercial building, the amount of water that can be collected can be vast (the larger the roof space, the more gallons collected).  This is water that can be used in lieu of that contained within reservoirs or in groundwater.  

When we take more water out of natural systems (think waterways, the water cycle, etc.), then we cause more of a strain on the ecosystems that require the presence of water.  We even make it harder on ourselves, as we use up water that could otherwise be used for more essential things, such as consumption.

Also, think of using recycled or salvaged products when building a space, no matter how state-of-the-art it’s meant to be.  Nowadays you can easily purchase insulation that features recycled materials and which still provides a high insulation rating.  Tons of materials can be salvaged and reused, from steel and other metal products to flooring, lumber, and beams.  

You can even use building products that feature organic material that’s sturdy and lasts just as long as other material.  Everything from straw to hemp is being used in modern construction, and people love it because it means fewer chemicals used to create products and fewer possible health hazards for the people exposed to them.

Running a Successful Business – Actions Create Impact:

The everyday practices that businesses employ can have major environmental repercussions.  We live in the digital age, so this would really be the best time to start using way less paper.  If you’re sending out documents or adverts to people, change from paper to virtual and send these things via email.  Most people these days pay bills, make purchases, and handle personal affairs online rather than through the mail.  Going digital is inevitably more convenient and efficient, anyways.

If you network a lot with other companies or work closely with various suppliers and vendors, start to look for ones that are also taking a more eco-friendly approach.  This creates more of an incentive for other businesses to follow suit, lest they find themselves out of the commercial loop.  It also means that you’re more likely to come into contact with other eco-friendly ideas that can help reduce your impact on the environment as well as save you money.

The products you use to conduct business are also key.  If you’re buying a lot of storage products, such as bins and containers to hold goods, tools, etc. then start to look for recycled or recyclable options.  Also, rather than buy something new, look for used plastic containers and other storage options. In the long run, you’ll end up spending less money which will help you in running a successful business. Reusing a product is more eco-friendly than having more things created to end up in landfills.