A sustainable best practices program involves a comprehensive and holistic approach that addresses all of the practices of a business that impact the environment. A best practices program assists companies in making changes in their business in multiple areas including air quality, energy, management, transportation, water and waste.

A sustainability initiative involves the development and implementation of green ideas and goals. Crucial to this process is the development of metrics that track and monitor performance in implementing ideas and achieving goals. Also important is the identification and response to challenges, opportunities and threats.

Although standardized sustainable best practices are still in their formative stage of development, there are some basic practices that help businesses become more environmentally sustainable.

Air Quality

Simply changing materials selections can dramatically impact indoor air quality. Chemicals are everywhere in a conventional office environment from the paint on the walls to the adhesive under the carpet. To reduce these chemicals use low-VOC paints and other sustainably made office supplies, furniture and equipment. Convert your cleaning products to less/non-toxic chemicals.

Energy

Energy programs can save energy and cost. Most programs pay for themselves within a couple of years. If your business is less that 300 kW then a small business energy audit is the best way for your company to save energy and save money. Global carbon emissions attributable to IT have been estimated at 2% to 2.5% of the worlds total carbon emissions. That is about the same as the airline industry! We know that our day-to-day, in most cases, is dependent upon using a computer but there are some simple things you can do to save energy and money. To dissuade the forecast of McKinsey Research, which indicates that the IT sector will triple it’s carbon footprint during the period between 2002 to 2020 get a Green IT audit!

Management

Sustainability Management is imperative to making and maintaining sustainable changes. Start by putting together a panel or Green Team that has representatives from different departments. Create routine maintenance checks for all appliances. Write policies in your employee manual for energy, water, waste, transportation and pollution prevention. Post signs around the office to educate employees/public about conservation (lights, water, recycling).

Transportation

Track the mileage of all company vehicles. Tracking mileage and examining your travel routes can help you better understand your fuel usage, calculate you carbon footprint and even help you find ways to conserve gas.

Water

Conduct a water audit and develop strategies for water reduction. Tracking water usage and conserving water usage can benefit the environment and the bottom line. Effective strategies include retrofitted faucets with low-flow aerators.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Conduct a waste audit and develop a strategy for managing waste and recycling. Knowing the waste stream is important because when a facility reduces the volume of waste it generates, it can achieve corresponding savings through decreased hauling fees and avoided disposal charges. Significant saving can be achieved by reducing trash container size and limiting the frequency of pick-ups. “Right size” the trash service by keeping a log sheet to track trash.

Include a recycling program with a good plan including logistics that detail where the materials are being generated and how they will be collected and stored.

Sustainable Best Practices originally appeared on The GREEN MARKET blog.

Richard Matthews is a Marketing Consultant and author of The GREEN MARKET, a blog dedicated to green investing and the economy. Richard hails from Quebec Canada. He enjoys hiking, canoeing, and rock-climbing.