How to Save Money and Environment

 For this year's Earth Day, I plan to write tips on how small businesses can help the environment and still save money. Usually, I debunk myths about the environment, but I have done a few of those blogs. If you want to read about those myths, you can click on the link.

Buy Remanufactured Electronics -- Computers, cell phones, electronics and old gadgets are filling up landfills at a high rate. Most computer components and cell phones can't be recycled. With cell phone companies, they ask consumers to replace their phone every two or three years. Then, they choose not to support the older software, which means people have to throw away their phones for a new one even though they have one that works fine. Small business owners can buy remanufactured computers or toner to save money and the environment. These computers put newer components in older casings, which means they do not end up in landfills. They are usually several hundred dollars cheaper than those that are brand new. They work the same as brand new. The toner cartridges cost less than new cartridges and reuse the ink. The business owner never sees a difference in print quality. I have used remanufactured toner for years. I print a lot because I print all the books I edit. Never had a problem, but I have spent a fraction of what I would have spent on new cartridges.

Reuse Paper -- In the above paragraph, I mentioned that I print a lot of manuscripts. This uses a lot of toner and a lot of paper. If I used one side of paper, this would be a problem. I don't. If I am printing for my own use. I use paper that I have used previously. I print on the other side. I also reuse this paper when taking notes from meetings and phone calls. This practice saves the environment and my wallet. I only have to buy paper once a quarter instead of weekly. Because books are 6 x 9 or 5.5 x 8.5, I can print two pages on one sheet of paper, which saves even more. When my children were in school, they used to get mad at me because they never knew whether clean paper was in the printer or scrap paper. They had to print on clean paper for projects. Now, they know to ask me first. 

Set Comfortable Heat/Air Conditioning -- Small business owners who work from their homes can keep their heat or air conditioning at a comfortable level. If they work in offices and control the thermostat, they can do this also, but if they do not control the thermostat, this tip might not be available. In the summer, you can set your air conditioning at a comfortable 75 degrees or higher. The lower you go, the more it costs in electric bills. In the winter, you can maintain heat at 70 degrees or lower. The higher you go, the more it costs. I used to live in Arizona where it is 115 degrees in the summer outside buildings. People would set air conditioning at 60 degrees. You were freezing in buildings and burning outside buildings. It was too big a range, and it cost a lot to maintain those high swings of temperature.

Use Daylight -- As much as possible, rely on the sun to give you light in your office. This is another way to reduce your energy usage and cut your electric bill. In the summer, we have nine or 10 hours of daylight. Use that to your advantage. Pick offices with lots of natural light or place your desk in a well-lit area of your home. 

Buy Products With Recycled Materials -- When you buy products with recycled materials, you are reducing waste. Companies that have to hire businesses to haul waste and pay by the pound would see lower fees by reducing waste. Reuse in your own business as much as you can. Some businesses can take leftover materials and put them into something else. Writers and marketers can reuse folders, paper and other things to save money. They also can buy those things that already have recycled materials to support those companies doing it.

 These are some ways that you can save money and the environment. Happy Earth Day.