Simple Energy Efficiency Strategies For Every Business

While individuals each make their own choices about how best to do this in their own lives, businesses must have a responsibility to do the same. In many cases, saving energy will also reduce a company's overhead costs.
Almost everyone makes an effort to turn off unnecessary lights in their home. The same behaviour does not happen in the office, however. Logicalis, an international IT firm based in the UK, found that while 94% of office workers paid attention to light use in their homes, only 66% gave any thought to the same issue in their office. Establishing a simple policy that makes the last person to leave responsible for ensuring the lights are off is one way to save energy. 
Recycling is also important even though the results will not show up on the electricity bill. The energy involved in manufacturing many of the containers and products consumed adds up rapidly. Rather than putting all that waste in one bin, set up several at each location in the office where waste is deposited. Designate them according to the type of refuse collected so sorting is not required prior to their removal.
A paperless office may not be feasible for many companies, but a reduced dependency on paper can be beneficial. Encourage people to use the calendar attached to their email client for reminders instead of the many little paper notes stuck to their monitor or tacked on a cork-board. Before discarding printing mistakes or papers no longer necessary, cut them up to use as scratch paper and require memos be delivered electronically instead. 
Power off computers and printers at the end of the day. Many people are hesitant to do this because they don't want to wait for them to power up when they arrive in the office. The time spent filling their coffee cup, hanging up their coat and visiting the rest-room is often more than adequate for these machines to power up. Simply making a habit of turning them on before doing anything else is all that is required to remain fully productive and save energy.
These are all very simple ways to conserve energy in the office. They can be applied to the vast majority of businesses. An evaluation of the energy consumption that is unique to a given business will often reveal even more ways save energy. Once energy has been saved, then money can also be saved. Coupled with shopping around for the best , 2 massive savings, for the business and the planet can be made.