By Spencer Perillo
Resource Conservation Program Coordinator, BRINGSmall businesses are the heartbeat of the economy. They not only provide our favorite goods and services, but they also create job opportunities for our friends and families, support local suppliers, and contribute to the overall economic g rowth needed to keep our region vibrant. Additionally, it’s been shown that small businesses are more likely to reinvest their profits back into the community by supporting other local small businesses and helping to keep money circulating here.
Consumers, who drive the success of small businesses, care about environmental issues, and what they purchase or who they do business with can reflect a commitment to sustainability. Studies conducted by consulting firm McKinsey & Company demonstrate that over the past five years, consumers are routinely opting for products that make sustainability claims like “recyclable” or “eco-friendly”. A separate study done by the Retail Insight Network proved that, even with rising costs, consumers prefer to shop locally.
If you own or operate a small business in Lane County, BRING’s Rethink Program can help you tap into these market trends by identifying opportunities to conserve resources, improve efficiency, communicate your green values, and ultimately, strengthen your business.
Here are five tried-and-true green practices that any small business can implement to become more environmentally friendly:
- Purchase Paper Products with a minimum of 30% Post-Consumer Recycled Content. When your business prioritizes purchasing post-consumer recycled content paper products, that action strengthens global recycling markets by ensuring recycled materials are diverted from landfills and remanufactured. This also conserves resources and reduces energy consumption associated with virgin paper production. There’s a PCR alternative for almost all your paper needs: printer paper, toilet paper, paper towels, coffee cups, and much, much more. Look for labels like “contains 30% recycled content” and “ 30% recycled,” instead of claims like “recyclable.”
- Choose Environmentally-Preferred Cleaning Supplies: By using environmentally-preferred cleaning supplies, businesses can minimize their impact on water quality, reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, and contribute to a healthier indoor environment for employees and customers. Choose options with verifiable certifications like EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, and ECOLOGO.
- Install Energy-Efficient Lighting: Small businesses can reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions by upgrading to energy-efficient LED bulbs and fixtures. LED lighting not only consumes less energy but also lasts longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and maintenance costs.
- Clearly Label Garbage and Recycling Bins: Recycling rules and regulations change often. Small businesses can help educate their employees and clientele by posting current signage in each collection area. Additionally, pairing garbage and recycling bins side-by-side reinforces the importance of separating waste at the source and makes it easier for users to participate in recycling efforts.
- Conduct an Energy Audit: An energy audit involves assessing the energy consumption patterns of the business, identifying areas of inefficiency, and recommending tailored solutions to optimize energy usage. By partnering with your local utility provider or the Energy Trust of Oregon, small businesses can uncover hidden energy waste and prioritize investments in energy-saving measures.
Go Above and Beyond!
♦ Commercial Food Waste Collection: Does your business generate organic waste like food scraps or yard debris? Add food waste collection to your garbage services through your hauler agreement. Separating organic waste out of your waste stream has significant environmental benefits including reducing local methane emissions. Currently available for businesses in Eugene, Springfield, and Veneta, only.
♦ Stormdrain Maintenance: Maintaining stormdrains located on private property is the responsibility of the business. Lane County’s Stormdrain Cleaning Assistance Program (SCAP) offers discounted cleaning services. Stormdrain cleanliness directly impacts the health of our local streams, rivers, and waterways.
♦ Purchasing Policy: Consider creating and adopting an internal Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) plan. An EPP can strengthen your business’s commitment to sustainability by outlining your intent to procure goods that reduce your environmental impact. A strategic EPP will guarantee that regardless of who is making purchases, there’s always an easily accessible reference point to prioritize sustainability.
Need help implementing changes at your business? Contact Rethink today! Our team of sustainable business coordinators offers free technical support, connects businesses to utility incentive programs, and delivers valuable resources on a range of topics–from training employees in recycling protocols to installing energy-efficient equipment and tailoring additional solutions to specific needs.
Visit bringrecycling.org/rethinkbusiness to get started.
About the author
Spencer Perillo has been with BRING for over two years as the Resource Conservation Program Coordinator. Primarily working with the Rethink Program, Spencer helps businesses in reducing their environmental impacts while saving money. Reach out to Spencer if you have any questions about the Rethink Program or anything sustainability-related. To learn more, visit bringrecycling.org.
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