As a business leader, your sustainable impact goes a lot further than your own personal footprint and energy usage. You have the power to influence your employees, the energy used in buildings you manage, and more. 

Not only does reducing your business’ energy waste help the environment, but it can also save you money. For example, in the UK, it’s estimated that businesses could collectively save £570 million in energy losses.

Here are a few ways you can start saving energy (and money) in your business today. Plus, once you’re done tackling your business, why not take a look at some of our tips on how to reduce your personal energy consumption?

Compare Energy Providers

First up, when was the last time you shopped around between energy providers? Do you know where your energy is coming from? Make sure you check the credentials of so-called green energy providers and see whether you’re getting the most sustainable energy at the most efficient rate for your business.

Be Mindful of Appliances

Just as you would at home, ensure that you and your employees turn off anything that’s not in use. Appliances use energy even when on standby, so if that light is still blinking, turn it off at the wall.

What’s more, start to rethink what you actually need to use appliances for. For example, do you really need to print and photocopy as much as you currently do? Staying digital as much as possible means you can phase out some of those energy-draining appliances.

Regulate Heating

Put someone in charge of the thermostat and encourage people to bring in extra layers in the winter, instead of amping up the heating. Keeping the temperature at a continuous level saves energy, so pick a setting and stick to it. Recommended temperatures are 16 degrees Celsius for warehouses and 20 degrees for offices.

Avoid obstructing radiators as well, so that the energy you’re using goes further. Consider investing in updated insulation as well, to keep the heat you’ve created inside.

Ensure Regular Maintenance

Poorly maintained appliances are often inefficient when it comes to energy. Make sure lights are clean, electrical machines are serviced, and your heating and air conditioning systems are checked once a year.

One good example to keep an eye out for is to make sure your heating and AC are set up to the right timezone, especially when the clocks go back or forwards in the winter and summer. Being off by even one hour could mean they are using energy unnecessarily.

Invest in Sustainable Energy Sources

If the conditions are right, consider investing in mini wind turbines or solar panels for company buildings. Not only can they produce clean energy for your business to use, but you can often also sell excess energy back to the grid to make some extra money on the side.

Educate Staff

Your company is only as sustainable as the practices of its people. You can’t be everywhere at once as the boss, so take the time to make sure your employees also understand how important it is to be sustainable.

Encourage recycling processes to be set up, make sure managers are reinforcing sustainable rules, and make sure everyone is on the same page. Who knows, they may even come up with some new ideas themselves that can help your company do even better.

For more sustainable business tips, come on down to the Zero Waste Berlin Festival to meet other sustainable businesses and like-minded leaders. We have consumers, individuals, and entrepreneurs from a range of different industries who are all approaching sustainability in a unique and authentic way.

Tickets are currently available to buy here, so make sure you secure your space alongside like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, and activists on September 17-19. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!