by John Erianne

Created on: March 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2012

In recent years, the environment has been on everyone's mind. Thanks to fluctuating gas prices, rising energy costs, and the overall impact on our health, going green is no longer just a catchphrase, it's become a necessity. With a new mandate from President Obama to create a green economy and make all companies friendlier to the environment, more and more companies are looking to build a greener workplace.

Transforming your company into a green workplace may seem like a daunting task with much to consider. You may be intimidated by the prospect. You may even have plenty of excuses for not doing it. Oh, it's too much trouble. It costs too much. I'm too busy. However, If you own a small-to-mid-sized company or work for one, there has never been a better time to green-up your workplace than now. Whether you actually care about the environment or are just worried about new regulations that will impact on your company, it's better to get ahead of the curve than wait until changes are forced upon you even though you may be fretting about how to accomplish this task. Going green in the workplace is a good idea even if it isn't necessary for a more sustainable future. In the long run, it will lead to a happier, healthier, more profitable and efficient work environment for all. There are several ways to green your workplace without spending a lot of time or money.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Review Your Carbon Footprint 

Your carbon footprint is a measurement of the greenhouse gas emission caused by your company. You can get a leg up on transforming your business into a green business by first doing a Greenhouse gas emissions assessment. Once you've established your carbon footprint, you will be in a better position to reduce your carbon footprint.

   • Have employees fill-out employer surveys on their environment practices such as office supply usage, power and fuel consumption, travel time, etc.

   • Do a comprehensive audit of energy usage, especially office-related power consumption (electricity used by PCs, servers and other office equipment), employee air travel and expenses, natural gas and water usage.

   • Test for unfriendly gases such as radon and carbon monoxide and closely inspect the workplace for any toxic materials used.

2. Manage Your Energy Consumption 

Chances are you are wasting electricity as well as heat in the winter and air in the summer months. In addition to finding

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