3 Things You Can Do for an Environment-friendly Retail Business
Posted on: 11 May 2016
Today, the environment is being destroyed in many ways. A good example is a large retail business, whose business practices can leave a trail of destruction on the environment. If you are looking to establish a large-scale retail business such as a supermarket, it is important to adopt business practices that will reduce the negative impact of your retail business on the environment. In addition, you can also save money by going green in your retail business. Here are some of the things you can do ensure that you are running a business that is friendly to the environment:
Lighting in the Store
Essentially, your store should be well lit at all times to enable your customers to have an easy time when they are shopping. In some cases, this means that the electric bulbs have to stay on throughout the day. With bulbs that use up a lot of energy, your electricity consumption will always be high. This increases the pressure on natural sources of electricity such as river dams. Thankfully, there are energy efficient bulbs that will help you reduce your energy consumption. You can go for fluorescent bulbs instead of the traditional incandescent light bulbs. In spaces where you need light for advertisements or promotions, light emitting diodes that use less power will work for you.
Product Packaging
The materials used to package the customers' goods also contribute to environmental pollution. Packaging materials such as polythene bags, plastic containers and glass bottles are non-biodegradable. When your customers dump them after use, most of these packaging materials end up in dumping sites where they create ugly landfills. However, you can develop a green culture business to reduce the pollution caused by packaging materials. For instance, you can give discounts to clients who shop and carry their purchases in reusable shopping bags. This will encourage your customers to tag along with their reusable shopping bags, which cut down the packaging waste that ends up in dumping sites. Furthermore, you can also pack ready-to-eat-food in biodegradable bowls and plates if your business sells such food.
Heating and Cooling the Store
The heating and cooling system in your store can add up to your energy bill significantly. However, you can install programmable thermostats to help you regulate the amount of energy used by the heating and cooling system. When the store is unoccupied, the thermostat can be programmed to allow rooms to remain cold or warm depending on the prevailing weather conditions. This ensures that the system only works when you need it, helping to keep the energy consumption in check. In the end, you improve the environment by reducing the pressure imposed on sources of energy.
For more information on making your business more environmentally friendly, contact environmental consultants in your area.
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