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10 quick ideas to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) in your business
No matter how big or small, it’s a good idea to consider how business operations contribute to climate change and conversely how climate change may impact your business. In the process, you may also discover opportunities to improve the bottom line.
- Drive less
- Never idle!
- Reduce unnecessary vehicle emissions
- Increase heating and cooling efficiency
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Compost
- Reduce electricity use
- Reduce paper usage
- Green your purchasing partners
- Engage employees
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Drive less
Plan and log business travel miles to eliminate or reduce travel miles. Encourage employees to walk, bike, take the bus, or car pool to work. You can assist employees by providing incentives, bathrooms/showers, flexible schedules, telecommuting or a Winnipeg Transit EcoPass.
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Never idle!
Idling is defined as anytime you keep your engine on while your vehicle is stationary. Develop an idling policy to eliminate idling in company vehicles. Put up Idle Free Zone Signs and educate employees.
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Reduce unnecessary vehicle emissions
If you must use a vehicle, make sure to operate a well-maintained, fuel efficient vehicle. Reducing the load or turning off the air conditioner will also increase fuel efficiency.
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Increase heating and cooling efficiency
Select energy efficient heating and cooling systems. Maintain the building envelope. Optimize natural heating and cooling. Lower building temperatures and use programmable thermostats. Identify opportunities for heat recovery. Check out Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart for Business incentives and savings opportunities.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Make recycling easy. Increase accessibility. Research alternative products that minimize waste.
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Compost
Composting is an easy way to reduce waste that normally goes to the landfill. Develop a composting strategy through policies, training and accessibility. Resource Conservation Manitoba has a number of tips for starting a composting program.
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Reduce electricity use
Adopt an energy strategy. Begin by assessing how much electricity your business uses and where your greatest savings could come from. Turn off lights or use motion sensors.
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Eliminate the paper trail
Evaluate the amount of paper your business uses and identify ways to eliminate or reduce paper use.
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Green your purchasing partners
Develop a climate friendly purchasing policy. Develop partnerships with businesses that have the same green principles.
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Engage employees
Strong employee commitment, awareness, and participation are essential to any efforts to reduce GHG emissions.
