A Look at Sustainable Business Practices

In today's world, there's plenty to worry about: the economy is still in trouble; gas prices are still through the roof; worst of all, the environment isn't doing too well. While there is no immediate and obvious solution, it's important for the modern business to work as hard as possible to be two things: lean and sustainable. Micro Solutions Enterprises, a manufacturer of compatible imaging products, is an excellent model of exactly that. The same is true of publishing giant McGraw-Hill, computer giants IBM and Microsoft, and Hartford Financial Services Group.

Why bring up such a disparate group? Precisely because they are disparate. Spread across multiple industries, working at diverse financial levels with widely different numbers of employees, these companies have common ground in their sustainability.

Green practices are good for more than just the environment, though. These companies are all seeing benefits, ranging from waste reduction and the associate profit hike to the less quantifiable (but equally powerful) goodwill of their customer base.

So what are these companies doing that other companies are not?

Sustainability: How and Why

1.  Reducing emissions. Doing something as simple as upgrading electronics and appliances to those with the Energy Star seal of approval can do a great deal to reduce air pollution. The emissions released by this equipment are a contributing factor in climate change. Doing something about it? That's a source of pride, as well as a saver on energy bills.

2.  Waste reduction. This saves the business money on the cost of removing waste. It also costs the business less in the long run, as waste reduction is achieved best through an overhaul of consumption. Some common techniques for waste reduction include:

--Opting out of mailings and catalogues.

--Buying recycled materials.

--Using refurbished or remanufactured goods (in fact, Micro Solutions Enterprises has made a business out of selling remanufactured and compatible imaging and printing products).

--Engage the workforce in recycling, reusing, and returning.

--Redesign greener product packaging. 

3.  Green power. Many companies are utilizing renewable energy sources for part of their electricity needs. Installing solar panels, wind farms, or hydroelectricity farms at your base of operations can reduce costs and set a precedent. If you can't do those kinds of installs, contact your utilities provider to determine whether they provide renewable or "green" power.

4.  Conserving water. Water consumption isn't the first thing people consider when they think of energy, but it does affect everything. Gas and electricity are used to heat water. The water company uses energy to bring water into your offices and warehouses. If a company has leaky pipes, aging water heaters, and dripping taps, they can save money (and the world) by attending to those things.