Is Your Company Running Green?
By BRETT WINBERG - LubeTrak

In today’s world, running a business can be very costly and stressful. Trying to run your business “Green” can mean even more stress, but is it really?

Here are some ideas to see if your company or business is running Green, this also may direct you to implement a few ideas to save operating expenses and employ a less stressful environment at your work place.

Okay... how?
Let’s say that you're running a small- or mid-sized business, and you want to do it right. That means bringing your environmental performance in line for a healthier bottom line. But how do you start working sustainable? Or if you have started, how to follow through?

Here are a few fundamentals:

• Comply with state, local, and federal environmental, health, and safety regulations. This gives your beyond-compliance efforts a solid foundation. You may gain additional benefits: Some governmental programs offer reduced oversight and paperwork of companies that are in full compliance.
• Understand how your business affects the environment, from the things you buy to your relationships with customers and suppliers, to the full life cycle of your products and services. At each step of the way, there are opportunities to make choices that can help you align environmental responsibility with business success.
• Begin to make changes where they can be done profitably — or at least in a way that will not decrease profits and productivity for more than a short period. It’s important to keep in mind that it isn’t possible to do everything right; gradual, incremental progress is a worthy goal.

For Example
Does your business or company run an air conditioning system or a large heating system? If so, be smart with heating and cooling.

• Is your building properly insulated?
• Are the windows double paned?
• Are there air leaks?

By maintaining your heating and cooling systems, you can reduce your heating and cooling bills. A poorly maintained heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system uses more energy and wastes gobs of money. Systems that are checked annually and kept in good condition use less energy and last longer.

Some businesses in metropolitan areas, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Toronto, etc., are taking matters into their own hands and planting small atriums and/or green houses on the roofs of their buildings. This allows for the sunlight to be absorbed and used properly and also any rainwater to be used for plant life and growth.

Also one other idea that has come into play is installing a waterfall system inside the lobby of your building. This has been proven to reduce cooling cost and at the same time reduce stress of the employees near by.

Reducing water waste
Conserving water can save money and helps to preserve this valuable resource, especially during summer months. Water conservation can be employed in three areas:

1. Kitchen/snack area of building:

• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not under running water, if possible.
• Purchase a water-efficient dishwasher and wash only full loads.
• Soak pots, pans and dishes before hand washing them.
• Train your staff to turn off the water promptly when they are not using it.

2. Plumbing:

• Check for and repair leaks in faucets and toilets. To detect leaks in toilets, place a small amount of dark food coloring in the toilet tank. If coloring comes through the tank into the toilet bowl after 20 to 30 minutes, you have a leak.
• Install water-efficient toilets. Retrofit older toilets that use up to six gallons of water with each flush by filling a gallon container with water and placing it in the tank. The toilet will use a gallon less water each time it is flushed.
• Install aerators, which conserve water by injecting air into the water stream, in all sinks.

Reducing electricity waste
Business operators rarely consider utility bills as a primary operating cost. Yet this is one area where you can save thousands of dollars simply by evaluating your energy use and choosing energy-efficient alternatives. Here are three areas where you can reduce your energy costs:

1. Lighting

• Use fluorescent lighting for indoor and outdoor fixtures that last six to 10 times longer than regular bulbs. To eliminate the "hum," replace existing ballasts with electronic ballasts.
• Install timers or occupancy sensors in restrooms and storage rooms and any other rooms that frequently are not in use.
• Focus light on areas where it's most needed, such as under-cabinet lighting for kitchen workstations and counter tops under cabinets. Task lighting and reflectors are two items that help direct light.

2. Appliances and computers

• To reduce the burden on your electrical system, don't turn on all electrical equipment at the same time.
• Make sure the size of an appliance suits your needs. A smaller, more energy-efficient piece of equipment might be a better value in the long run than a larger piece at a bargain price.

3. More on Air conditioning, heating and ventilation

• Reduce the number of times a day you adjust your thermostat by installing a programmable model.
• Change dirty air filters on air conditioners. Check your air conditioners' intake screens, coils and registers to be sure they are performing at peak condition.

By taking these steps, your business will help the environment while providing great service to customers. Your customers will appreciate your eco-efforts.

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