From time to time, it’s prudent to take stock of the technology measures we use and endorse. One popular buzzword over the las few years is ‘sustainability,’ but it isn't just a buzzword - it's a necessity. All around the world businesses are increasingly embracing eco-friendly practices – and not just for a positive impact on the environment. It’s also for the benefits they can bring to the bottom line.
But this is not merely about reducing your carbon footprint, it’s also about improving efficiency, cutting costs, and attracting environmentally conscious customers – and there are a lot of those customers.
‘Going green’ can mean saving dollars when it’s done effectively - with the co-benefit of being good for the planet. Let’s explore 18 sustainable tech habits you can easily and painlessly adopt.
1) Use Hardware and Appliances that are Energy-Efficient
Devices of all types are mandated to save energy, so in both the short and long run, investing in energy-efficient hardware and appliances can lead to significant cost savings. The obvious truth is that consuming less electricity results in lower utility bills.
Consider every opportunity to upgrade to Energy Star-rated equipment and using LED lighting to reduce your energy consumption. It may surprise you how fast your electric bill goes down after replacing lightbulbs.
2) Cloud Computing and Virtualization
Cloud computing and virtualization solutions can help you optimize your IT infrastructure. By consolidating servers and resources, you reduce the number of physical devices which leads to lower energy consumption and reduced hardware maintenance costs. This is a job for your internal IT support team or outsourced Managed Services Provider.
3) Remote Work /Telecommuting
The remote workforce saw a drastic rise after COVID and the ensuing lockdowns and while things have settled down and many employers are demanding their staff return to the office, the question remains as to whether that really is the best move. By embracing remote work, companies shave costs by reducing the need for office space and the energy to power it, which also cuts down on commuting-related emissions. Employees who work remotely also report increased job satisfaction and productivity, both of which can positively impact your bottom line.
4) Sources of Renewable Energy
It’s not as if anybody doesn’t want renewable energy, but these solutions need to be feasible. Wherever possible and feasible, consider transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. If you own a long-distance trucking company, you probably aren’t about to transform your fleet of trucks from diesel to electric – the technology, logistics and supporting infrastructure are nowhere near to support that change.
The initial investment may be significant, but renewable energy can lead to big savings on electricity costs after the break-even point. Additionally, it demonstrates your commitment to sustainability, which can attract eco-conscious customers.
5) E-Waste Recycling Programs
California laws requiring proper disposal of electronic waste make this practice a mandate. If you are not practicing safe disposal, start right now. These policies help you properly dispose of outdated or non-functioning electronic equipment. Many electronics can be refurbished, resold, or recycled. This reduces waste and potentially generates revenue through resale.
6) Data Center Optimization
We don’t have the electricity generation infrastructure to support electric vehicles, let alone the burgeoning Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry, but just like AI, data centers are high energy consumers. Optimize your data center by doing things like:
Using energy-efficient servers
Implementing efficient cooling systems
Consolidating data storage to reduce power usage
Again, this is a job for your internal IT support team or outsourced Managed Services Provider.
7) Green Web Hosting
You may well ask, “Is that even a thing?” It is, and you can reduce your website's carbon footprint by choosing a web hosting provider that uses renewable energy for their data centers. It can also lead to improved website performance and uptime.
8) Lose the Paper!
We’re almost there already: a lot of the way business is conducted is paperless, but we’re still a long way from ‘Zero Paper.’ According to Office Dasher, 70% of total office waste is paper, with American businesses using 21 million tons of paper per year and generating 750,000 copies every minute.
By further transitioning to the most paperless office you can have will save money on paper, ink, and storage. Use digital documents, electronic signatures, and cloud storage solutions to reduce paper usage.
According to ECM, about 6 hours a week is spent by office workers searching for paper documents. That’s 6 hours they are not working to generate revenue. Digitizing files allows for keyword searching, reducing those wasted hours, and improving productivity.
9) Eco-Friendly Office Supplies
Eco-friendly office supplies include recycled paper, biodegradable pens, and reusable office products. These sustainable choices can reduce your office expenses and demonstrate your commitment to environmental responsibility.
10) Software Optimization
You can reduce system resource usage by the simple task of maintaining regular updates and optimization of your software. Unnecessary background processes and inefficient code can strain your hardware, increasing energy consumption.
11) Remote Monitoring and Control
A very effective tool for managing your facility's energy usage is to install remote monitoring and control systems. This technology allows you to adjust heating, cooling, and lighting remotely, which reduces energy waste. Smart thermostats are very affordable now. That makes this an easy energy energy-efficient win.
Here at ITFIRM.COM, we take this to heart, as much of what we do is dependent on the ability to perform tasks remotely. When an issue arises, it can be resolved with much greater speed by ‘remoting in.’ It saves time and money.
12) Green Transportation Policies
No, we don’t mean electric company vehicles, and this depends on your employees and your ability to influence them, but it’s a great idea to promote green transportation policies for employees – perhaps with rewards. These might include:
Carpooling
Biking
Using public transportation
Providing incentives like subsidies for eco-friendly commuting options can help. They promote the reduction of transportation costs for your team. As noted, this depends entirely on your employees. Not everyone will happily trade a 30-minute car ride for an hour or more by bus.
13) Sustainable Data Practices
Keeping your databases cleaned and organized removes redundant or outdated information. Efficient data management reduces storage requirements and enhances data processing speed.
14) Green IT Certification
Consider pursuing green IT certifications such as the ISO 14001 or the Green Business Bureau certification. These certifications can improve your environmental standing and boost your company's reputation. More and more, customers appreciate this social consciousness.
15) Employee Education and Engagement
Educating your employees about sustainable tech habits will encourage them to participate in eco-friendly initiatives, but don’t mandate it (that causes resistance). Engaged employees can help identify more cost-saving opportunities, and at least your younger employees should be enthusiastic.
16) Supply Chain Sustainability
All vendors should be committed to sustainable practices. Sustainable sourcing and procurement practices can lead to cost reductions - as well as a more resilient supply chain.
17) Lifecycle Assessments
It’s good to conduct lifecycle assessments of your products and services as it will help you identify areas where you can make environmental and cost improvements. This process can help you optimize your offerings and reduce waste.
18) Green Marketing
If you choose an eco-friendly business stance, tell people about it. Sustainability is a popular and growing notion, so leveraging these efforts as a selling point in your marketing campaigns will appeal to potential customers who are increasingly seeking out eco-conscious businesses. Promoting your sustainability can help you stand out from the competition and lead to increased brand loyalty and sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cloud actually save money?
Yes, once you perform a simple cost/benefit analysis. Many of the cost savings are felt through increased productivity, but as a more tangible benefit, you save a lot on hardware. Instead of actually purchasing expensive hardware and installing it on-site, businesses can simply order up data use or storage services through the cloud and pay temporary access fees.
Is it more expensive to be energy-efficient?
You’ll see that eventually, it will save you money, once you get beyond the costs’ ‘break even’ point. From there on out, your ROI keeps climbing.
How do you optimize software performance?
Here are some key things to do:
Set clear performance goals
Identify bottlenecks
Employ efficient algorithms and data structures
Optimize database queries and I/O operations
Managing memory effectively
Leverage parallelism and concurrency
Minimize I/O operations and network latency
Continuously monitor and optimize all processes
What is the universal waste regulation in North Carolina?
Just like any governmental agency, the answer is long. Envcap.org provides the appropriate information HERE.
How secure is your network?
As a longstanding, reputable member of the Charlotte IT Support community, ITFIRM.COM offers a FREE, no-risk network and Cybersecurity assessment. We perform a non-intrusive scan that allows us to deliver a comprehensive report of the state of your system and its vulnerabilities that is yours to keep. There are no strings attached, and you are under no obligation to ever use our Managed IT Services.
The two best defenses are next-generation Cybersecurity to protect your data from theft, and a top-notch Managed Services Provider to ensure continued reliability and defenses against newly emerging threats.
We put our 100% Money Back Guarantee in writing, so there is no risk in trying us out. Because we do not require a ‘hard’ contract, our clients can fire us at any time with 30 days’ notice. We have to be good.
Among the Managed IT services we provide:
IT HelpDesk Service
Onsite IT Support
Cybersecurity
Cloud migration and management
Email migration services
Backup and disaster recovery
VoIP phone systems
IT disposition and recycling
Office moves
White label services (IT to IT)
Want Help Going Green to Save Money & Help the Planet?
Sustainable tech habits are not just about being environmentally responsible. They can also help your bottom line. The world has become increasingly aware of the importance of environmental responsibility. Embracing these sustainable tech habits can be a win-win for your business and the planet.
We can help you put together a sustainable tech roadmap that makes sense. Give us a call today to schedule a chat and also take advantage of our FREE network and Cybersecurity assessment.
704-565-9705