Strictly Business feature: Three Thoughts on sound environmental practices
| Thursday, Feb 18 2010 02:38 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Feb 18 2010 02:44 PM
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Wayne Lepine
Jennifer Jordan
Timothy R. Stormont
There's what passes for environmental responsibility, and then there's what makes sense in the business world. These are often separate considerations.
But not always. As attendees were told at this week's Energy & Clean Air Business Exposition, hosted by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, doing the right thing sometimes saves money. (Again, not always.)
Our question: How can sound environmental practices help business?
At State Farm, we recognize that strong environmental values are a key to business success in the modern marketplace. Effective environmental programs help reduce operating costs and the impact businesses have on local waste streams. Costs saved through energy savings and recycling programs enable us to lower the price of our products for our customers. These programs also allow us to give back to the community. For example, proceeds from recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans are donated to local charities.
We are also heavily involved in promoting safe driving practices as a way to reduce the impact of carbon monoxide emissions on the environment. Studies show a few seconds of rapid acceleration can produce significantly more pollution than the vehicle would normally produce over several minutes at a steady cruising speed.
Environmental issues are important to State Farm and its policyholders. We are committed to having a safe and green planet for generations to come.
-- Wayne Lepine, administrative services manager, State Farm
Greening your company and its operations is not only good for the environment, it's smart business. Implementing green initiatives can reduce your company's environmental impact; boost employee productivity and health; lower your operating costs, which brings more money to your bottom line as well as improve your company's image; and serve as a communication tool to connect with clients and customers regarding your green efforts.
What companies do not realize is that 60 percent of your energy costs are in your daily operations. You should understand where all of your materials come from, where every single kilowatt of your company's energy is used, how your supply and distribution chain operates and precisely what materials comprise your waste stream. With this knowledge you will find ways to do things better, more efficiently, more effectively and with dramatically less waste and energy -- while in most cases saving money all at the same time!
-- Jennifer Jordan, principal consultant, Green Living Consulting, a division of Greenshops.com Inc.
First, what is a sound environmental practice? "Cap & Trade" that lets the government take money from business and redistribute it to others is not a sound environmental practice, but conservation and sustainable building are. They benefit business regardless of public policy.
Conservation reduces our use of energy and resources that would otherwise be wasted. Some simple ways to conserve are:
1. Turn off unneeded lights and reduce lighting in rooms being used (most offices have double switching).
2. Use the sunshine (from north and south windows). The daylight can reduce lighting costs and help people's physical and mental health.
3. Control the thermostat and use natural ventilation when possible.
4. Run double-sided copies whenever possible to save on paper.
5. Recycle waste: BARC can pick up waste paper for free. Sustainability: Properly designed and maintained buildings will have a longer life, use less energy, use less water and reduce waste. They can also support the health and productivity of the occupants. All of this contributes to a better bottom line for business.
-- Timothy R. Stormont, architect, BFGC-IBI Group Architecture Planning
