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Good business sense says that if you are starting up in these times, you should try to keep overhead costs to a minimum. But what if you could go green while trimming your overhead costs as well? Smart business sense, I’d say.

Entrepreneur lists out a few basic steps you can follow at your new office to go green and save on the office budget.

Think Recycled
Yes, it does make business sense to use cheap recycled products instead of purchasing brand new equipment for your office. You can get recycled paper, envelopes, folders, pads, post-it notes. At the same time, if you are purchasing new products, make sure they are recyclable before making the purchase.

Change that bulb
You can save significantly on your electricity bills and help the environment by switching to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) throughout the office. Although expensive, CFLs use one-fourth the energy of standard lights. According to experts, CFLs last 5,000 hours compared to the typical 1,000 hours of a regular light bulb. That’s a lot of cold, hard cash.

Reconsider that computer buy
The lure of a shiny new computer can be hard to resist, but a little restraint can go a long way for a startup. Opt for laptops rather than desktops as they use less energy. If you do have to buy a desktop, go for flat screen monitors as they use a third of the energy that traditional monitors use. Also, before dumping old computers, first consider the operating capabilities that are required and then try upgrading the computer instead of replacing it. This will save costs while cutting down on e-waste.

Temper that AC
Get smart and keep a close eye on your air conditioner usage during the summer months. Set your cooling temperature to no less than 24 degrees, and try not to keep it running for long hours. Better yet, go easy on the dress code. Letting the team dress in comfortable casuals could allow you to set your AC a few degrees higher. The reverse applies if you are among the few lucky to have an office in India’s cooler climes.

Green that kitchen
The kitchen in your office can be a big drain on your overhead costs, but it can be plugged by going green. First up, stock your kitchen with ceramic plates and cups rather than plastic paper toss-aways. If your employees are not comfortable with that, ask them to get their own mugs and plates. Buy your food and grocery items in bulk. Instead of installing an electricity-draining tea/coffee vending machine, call for tea and coffee from a cheap vendor. For more tips on this, ask your mom; no one is better at running an efficient kitchen.

Learn to switch off
Talking about your mom, remember when she would implore you to turn off the lights when you leave. Follow this same energy-saving idea at the office and see how ridiculously simple it is to save costs and make a difference to the environment. Also switch off all electronic equipment when you leave the office, including printers, fax machines and computers. When out on lunch or a meeting, computers and printers should be kept in energy-saving mode.

Print and copy less
Too many printouts are the bane of all companies, big or small. Tackling this problem will help you save huge amounts on paper costs and some trees, too. First, stop filing e-mails for your records; if you need certain e-mails printed and filed, mention it in the mail. Encourage your employees to print and photocopy only the pages they need. Install printing programs that check for extra pages and wasted space. If you need photocopies, use the scanner and keep the copy online. Also invest in an all-in-one, so you can print, copy and scan with one machine instead of three different ones.

Ask Nature for energy
The whole world is harping about alternative energy as a business opportunity, and it’s time you invested in it for yourself. Do you have an office with a roof? A small windmill can help generate some power. Solar power is coming of age for small installations, too. If your office is in the cooler regions of India, install solar panels for heating water. If you are in the process of setting up your office, model the skylights and windows such that you get enough natural light and do not need to use bulbs.

Reorganize and remodel
Cut back on costs by doing away with the constant supply of desk supplies. Instead of providing every employee with all kinds of supplies, maintain one dedicated area of the office for keeping staplers, scissors, envelopes and binders. Of course, do instruct your team to return things once they are finished using them. Also rethink the quantity and kind of supplies you order. Do you really need both blue and black pens? Do you really need 300 business cards? Are these many envelopes really required? Ask yourself these questions and order only what you really need. Maintain an inventory and keep track of your supplies.

Best tip: Work from home
With cell phones, e-mail, text messaging and video conferencing available at your disposal, do you really need to have all your employees in front of you? Work out a schedule that will allow you to either close the office for a couple of days a week or even rotate your employees over the week. This will mean huge savings in bills and less wastage. All it takes is for you and your team to use the same good practices and discipline that’s used while in the office.

©Entrepreneur October 2009

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eco-friendly, green, recycle, save