Giving to the Environment at Work // 10.29.2008 at 12:42 PM

by Harvey Mckinnon

Categories: Business Innovations in Community Development, Business Innovations in Sustainability, Leadership and Influence, Quality of Work Life, Social Responsibility

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As businesses feel the credit crunch and worry about sales in the fiscal quarter, they look to cutting costs.

And the best way to cut costs is to save money you don’t need to spend.

While doing this, companies can help protect our environment.

Today, any company that ignores the need to be environmentally friendly is looked down upon by the market. Millions of potential investors will avoid these companies, and some of them may face huge potential liabilities. In addition these companies lose out on savings that could materialize by being prudent in using their resources. Both individuals and corporations can play a part in leaving the world a better place than they found it.

IKEA for instance uses flat packaging which squeezes every millimeter of use out of every box. This enables the company to pack its trains and trucks tighter. The packaging saves up to 15 per cent on fuel cost per item, while also reducing the number of trees cut down.

Xerox saved $2 million over ten years from its waste-saving program, serving the environment as well as their bottom line.

The Body Shop was sold for $1.14 billion in 2006. Its value was enhanced by its great mix of social consciousness and business practice. The founder, Anita Roddick, was a strong proponent of human rights, environmental and other worthwhile causes.

What is your company doing?

More importantly, what are you doing?

Innovative environmental programs are started by people at all levels of a company.

Look around you. The magic words: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Can you find one thing that will help out your company’s costs and reduce its impact on the environment? Where could an environmental problem turn into an opportunity? Where can you save money and keep your company profitable?

Lastly, When will you choose to act on “just one thing” to help?