Greening up gradually: Businesses can ease into new practices ...


Businesses nationwide are working to become more aware of the imprint they’re leaving on the environment.

But leaving a light touch on the planet doesn’t require a lot of money, said Michelle Hippler, president of Sustainable Solutions Inc., a consulting firm for small businesses in Billings, Mont., and small businesses can take an incremental approach to going green.

Information on how to green up operations can be overwhelming for time- and budget-starved small businesses. By analyzing risks, business owners can decide what to do first and what to roll out more slowly.

Here are some small steps businesses can take to reduce their carbon footprint:

* Create a matrix that identifies what changes can be made easily and what will take more effort, then access the potential returns realized from the changes. Use the results to prioritize and create an action plan.

* Conduct a waste audit, implement a recycling program, and train employees to follow through on it to reduce waste-hauling fees by 40 to 70 percent.

* Use electronic documents and print only when necessary to decrease paper purchasing and printing costs.

* Use only printing companies that conform to sustainable forestry programs and use nontoxic chemicals and inks to reduce environmental hazards associated with your business - while gaining the respect of your customers.

* Use nontoxic cleaning products and pest control methods to increase employee productivity through fewer sick days.

* Allow telecommuting and provide incentives for alternate modes of transportation when possible to reduce the overall carbon footprint of your company and attract happier and more motivated employees. Online project management services help track completed work and increase efficiency.

* Get LEED certification for all remodeling jobs and new constructions to increase efficiency of your facilities and decrease energy costs.

For more information, visit Hippler’s Web site: www.sustainablesmall-biz.com .