Cleaning Up Small Business

As the green movement gains popularity in homes across the globe, it likewise is showing up in businesses both big and small. Companies like Johnson and Johnson, IBM, and Nike are all moving toward greener business practices. The benefits of going green are numerous but toping the list for small business owners looking to adopt these newer practices is cost reduction.

In her article “How Green Power can Benefit Both Small Retailer and the Environment” Carol Tice says companies that use green power sources can expect them to pay for themselves in a matter of a few years. Since green energy sources rely heavily on renewable energy, it creates an almost inexhaustible energy source, thus creating stable energy prices. Tice says that most small business owners report savings of 25% – 30% on their annual energy costs in the first year alone.

Green energy not only is budget friendly, it is also Earth friendly. Electric power generation accounts for one-third of all global warming emissions worldwide with coal burning accounting for nearly 25% of that. While the usage of renewable energy creates little to no global warming emissions. Tice says that using green energy has a positive effect on the environment because most are pollution-free, thus creating not only a healthier planet but also a healthier work environment; and a healthier work environment means healthier employees. The article “Healthy Employees Make Healthy Businesses” states “research indicates improved employees health positivity effects the morale and productivity of employees and enhances their communication and loyalty.” According to the Small Business Wellness Initiative a community funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, as quoted by Success.com, “for every dollar invested in health promotion, small businesses can save between $3 and $5 in health and safety costs, including medical expenses, absenteeism and workplace accidents” thus proving that if you take care of your employees, they will work harder, better, faster and more efficiently.

Though at first glance, investing in green energy sources may seem more expensive than traditional energy, in the long run being green is a proven way to reduce a company’s bottom line. That can be though reducing the costs of powering a small business with cheaper wind, water, or solar energy or though an improved work-environment and a healthier community of employees. Business both big and small should know that using green energy is a great way to save some green.

Sources:

Tice, Carol. “How Green Power can Benefit Both Small Retailer and the Environment” entreprener.com. 23 July, 2012.

“Healthy Employees Make Healthy Businesses” http://www.success.com