|
Green Store Operation
■
Lower your energy needs.
Encourage employees, maintenance crews, and
others to turn off lights, computers, and other devices when they are not in
use, especially after hours and on weekends. Consider installing timers where
appropriate to ensure things get turned off
Equip with efficiency.
Buy energy-efficient equipment. According to
the Energy Cost Savings Council, the average building owner can cut energy
costs up to 60% by replacing outdated, inefficient electrical equipment with
new, high techelectro-technologies, a potential savings of$1 per square foot
of space.
■
Use energy-efficient lighting.
There are
thousands of lighting products available, many of which offer significant
energy savings and improved lighting. Examples include occupancy sensors for
frequently vacant rooms; ballast upgrades and reflectors for fluorescent
fixtures; compact fluorescent lights in place of incandescent bulbs; timers to
turn off lighting at fixed times; and energy-efficient exit signs. Many of
these can pay for themselves in as little as a few months.
Be smart with heating and cooling.
Make sure your
building has proper insulation and double-paned windows, and fix your
building�s air leaks. Simply maintaining your heating and cooling systems can
reduce your heating and cooling bills. A poorly maintained heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning system uses more energy and wastes money.
Systems that are checked annually and kept in good condition use less energy
and last longer.
Keep equipment running smoothly.
Your equipment
comes with maintenance schedules; follow them rigorously. You�ll keep your
company�s efficiency. This means replacing filters, cleaning compressor coils,
tuning up burners, lubricating umps and motors, and keeping your motor fleet
tuned and ready for work. As standard operations, recycle your waste oil and
solvents, and use biodegradable lubricants and hydraulic fluids. Your
equipment will run more efficiently and reliably, and you�ll save time,
energy, and money
Green your energy sources.
Contact local power providers to see if
they offer electricity from renewable-energy sources like solar, wind power,
and other sources
Reduce and conserve water.
Locate and fix water leaks routinely.
Conduct a water audit to find faucets and toilets that leak and have them
fixed as soon as possible. Promote water-efficient landscaping, called
xeriscaping. Other outdoor water-saving practices include mulching, timed
irrigation, and nighttime irrigation.
■
Install water-efficient fixtures.
Consider low
flow aerators for faucets, and �dams� or other services for toilets. On
toilets that use a spring loaded ever instead of a handle, install water
saving diaphragms. When building or remodeling, eek out low-flow appliances
and devices.
■
Reuse water.
Collect rain water for irrigating or other
non-potable uses. Reuse water in manufacturing and rinsing procedures:
recirculate cooling water; eliminate plenum flushes; convert from continuous
flow to intermittent flow; improve control of the use of deionized water
Green your printing.
Whether you print in house or contract with
outside printers, look into environmentally friendly printing products and
processes. Whenever possible, use recycled paper that is bleached without use
of chlorine. Seek out printers that use water-based press cleaners and soy- or
other vegetable-based inks. When designing printing projects, avoid elements
that reduce recyclability, such as foil stamping, adhesives, and plastic bags
Encourage alternative transportation.
Your people
have to travel, but they don�t have to pollute. Get behind an employee vanpool
or carpool program, and offer those who don�t drive incentives to take mass
transit. Also, provide environmentally friendly options for those who drive,
such as transit subsidies, preferred parking for carpoolers, and racks or
lockers for bicyclists
■
Green your fleet.
Purchase or lease vehicles with the highest
possible fuel economy, or those that use alternative-fuel sources, such as
electric, hybrid,
or fuel-cell vehicles. Whatever vehicles you use, have them tuned regularly.
Keep tire pressure sat recommended levels, in order to increase fuel
efficiency. When having vehicle serviced, make sure mechanics dispose of used
oil, brake fluid, and other substances properly
Make your meetings matter.
Try to teleconference, rather than
travel to a meeting; if you absolutely need the face time, stay in green
hotels. Another way to offset the eco-ills of business travel: invest in a
program that will plant trees to absorb the carbon dioxide created by your
trips. Host environmentally aware meetings and events. While you�re at it,
reduce your travel and conference budget, and impress on clients and
stakeholders your widespread commitment to sustainability.
■
Reduce employees� commutes.
Give your employees the option of
telecommuting, putting in a reduced workweek, or working variable hours.
Studies show such programs improve employee productivity and retention. When
appropriate, allow employees to work at home one day a week. Arrange for
computer hookups, extra phone lines, or other low-cost technologies to allow
employees to �plug in� to the main office from home.
|
