Regardless of what type of business you run, there are many simple and easy things you can do to make your business green-friendly. What most business people do not realize is, operating a green-friendly business is not only good for the environment but good for your business’s bottom line. Conserving resources and cutting down on waste saves money that could be put to better use

Becoming green-friendly goes beyond the three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) But they are a great place to start. Some simple things can make your business more green-friendly are:

  • If you are not using it, turn it off! – Turning off office equipment does not only reduce the energy usage, it will extend the life of the equipment.
  • Get rid of that old computer or monitor – Recycle old energy wasting pieces of equipment and replace them with low energy models.
  • Don’t print off every email and fax, keep them on your computer. If you have to print, try printing on both sides of the paper.
  • Buy local – look for suppliers who are local that have comparable pricing without having to ship over long distances. This will reduce the carbon imprint of your business, which can be a key factor behind securing new clients that share your interest in the environment.

Being green-friendly at work can also involve finding office space for your business that is located  in a green-friendly building. While many newer buildings are purpose built to be green-friendly, there are many older buildings that are being retrofitted to become eco-friendly office spaces. In some cases retrofitting and bringing eco-friendly practices to older buildings are breathing new life into that structure. This greening of older buildings can have less of a carbon footprint than building a new structure. By reducing the environmental impacts caused by cities revitalizing old buildings, these structures become more sustainable and more aesthetically pleasing.

It is important when looking for Toronto office space for rent or office space Toronto for lease, to ask the right questions of the person who is assisting you in your search. You want them to understand that being green-friendly at work is important to your business and that a green-friendly building is just as important. Ask the landlord what – if  any – green-friendly features the building offers and how they also affect your particular office space.