Does your company still believe that “going green” means “spending green”? It turns out that with very little effort there can be real financial benefits to bringing some environmental conscientiousness into the workplace.
Chartered Accountant Martin Ritchie, MBA, Msc, is president and CEO of Tenedos Energy Corporation in Toronto, a business that leases rooftops of mostly commercial buildings and installs solar panels on them. The clean energy that’s produced is sold back to the local utility grid. There, it’s redistributed to help power our air conditioners and HD TVs, while the host company gets paid for space they weren’t using anyway. It’s a clear win-win proposition.
Chartered Accountant Amanda Pyper is a partner with Durward Jones Barkwell & Company LLP in Grimsby. Many of her clients - several are large-scale commercial agriculture or wine-making ventures - are decidedly shifting to greener practices. With help from smart advisors and some proactive programs, they’re finding that what’s good for the planet is often good for their balance sheets, too.
Here are 10 of Ritchie and Pyper’s tips for making your company a better eco-citizen…and saving money, too;
1.
Become a solar landlord – “Warehouses, retailers and many large buildings with flat roofs are suitable. Ontario’s Green Energy Act is encouraging the development of ever-better solar technology,” Ritchie says, “and the PR from upping one’s green profile this way can be great for business.”
2.
Use recycled paper – “Even better,” Pyper says “her firm has had real success with “going paperless”. Clients can get their financial statements and other correspondence on computer memory sticks. The paper savings show up on invoices, making customers very happy.”
3.
Power down when you close up - Those blinking lights after you log off mean your computer is still eating power. To save energy and money, Ritchie suggests you plug your PC and peripherals into a power bar and switch to “off” after you shut down.
4.
Go carbon-free on the web - Some hosting companies now offer solar-powered servers that take your website “off the grid” altogether. Others, Ritchie says, reduce your environmental footprint by buying carbon offsets from renewable energy or emission-reduction projects. Often, the difference in price for carbon-free or neutral services is minimal.
5.
Dim the lights - Less light means less air conditioning in the summer months. Pyper says that her firm and many of her clients’ businesses have taken advantage of local utility programs to retrofit their facilities with LED lighting. A handy checklist by the door reminds the last person leaving to flip the switch before they head for home.
6.
Invest in a programmable thermostat - This inexpensive device is the perfect solution to a poor memory. Set it to automatically adjust the temperature by a few degrees when no one is in the building. It’ll more than pay for itself in energy savings - probably in the first month!
7.
Save water - One of Pyper’s most successful clients is a hydroponic grower who uses green technology to recycle water for its operations. Her community offers barrels to collect rain water for just $25, reducing the need for businesses and residents to use treated water for plants and gardens.
8.
Make use of off-hours - Most jurisdictions now offer cheaper rates for power at non-peak times, usually in the evening or during the night. Some automated processes and mechanical operations can be timed to take advantage of these savings.
9.
Green your transportation - The infrastructure to support electric cars and hybrids is definitely coming, says Ritchie. Do the math to see if fuel savings justify the higher purchase prices you might pay for these vehicles. Where possible, encourage or even offer incentives for employees to use public transit or car pool to work.
10.
Go retro for growing - Many of Pyper’s agricultural clients are embracing old-fashioned farming methods and reducing their need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers. One, a local Ontario winery, even keeps sheep and goats to help prune their grounds. And the fresh manure has its uses, too!
Brought to you by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
