Every business needs to save money if it’s to stay competitive, but did you know that you can do a lot simply by switching to renewable resources? The way you use your current resources and disposable one-use-only products places a strain on your budget that you probably aren’t even aware of. Take a look at the following advice, and see how many new things you can adopt in your business.

Keep a Recycling Bin Next to the Photocopier

The first thing you need to do is get your staff on the same page. We’ve all grown up using things and throwing them away without a moment’s thought about where they go after being put in the bin. The best way to change the perceptions of your team is to place recycling bins around the office.

You could have one for cans and plastic coffee cups in the office, and you could have a paper bin right next to the photocopier. If you then send around a monthly newsletter about how much was saved, you can show your team just how much of a difference they’re making.

Use Timber Cladding to Decorate and Insulate Your Space the Natural Way

Next, why not use timber cladding to decorate or insulate your office spaces? Sustainably sourced timber is high quality and readily affordable, and because it’s all-natural it’s also not adding anything to the growing pollution problem. But how does it save you money, exactly?

For starters, you’ll find that it’s a lot more reasonably priced than a lot of manmade synthetic products. If you want to be able to make the most of your resources, then these types of economies are just the kind of thing you need to be looking out for. They’ll also help reduce your heating bill if you install them as insulation. Ideal if you want to be able to spend less on those things that you can’t afford to do without.

Install Solar Panels and Sign Up to a Feed-In Tariff

Solar panels are one of the best examples of how embracing the world of renewable resources can save you money overnight. If you sign up to a government scheme, then you’ll be able to benefit from a subsidised installation, and get paid as part of a feed-in tariff. This means that you can sell any excess electricity you generate back to the national grid. Ideal if you want to make money whilst simultaneously saving money.

All you need to do now is contact an installation firm, and calculate just how much you can sell back to the grid. This will be based in large part on the surface area you have available to mount your panel array.

Introduce a Cycle-to-Work Scheme to Save on Capital Spend

Cycle-to-work schemes have so many benefits to employees and their companies that it’s hard to get them all into just one article. For starters, your staff’s carbon footprint will be reduced, which is good for the planet. You’ll also have a fitter and more active workforce that doesn’t get sick as often. Plus, research has shown that regular morning exercise is one of the best ways to beat work-related stress.

As your business expands and hires more people, you’ll also see that a cycle-to-work scheme is a great way to spread out your large capital spending products. Parking is an issue for most companies undergoing a period of rapid expansion, and building or leasing new facilities can be expensive. If you can encourage a significant part of your team to cycle instead, it will take the pressure off things in this respect.

Make Packaging from Recycled Materials

Making packaging from recycled materials is a great way to save money, whilst also showing your customers your commitment to making green choices. It’s often cheaper to use recycled materials than paying to have brand new packaging shipped halfway around the world, and with good reason.

If you want to really start making a dent in your annual spend, researching recycled materials is definitely the way to go. Of course, the fine details will vary depending on which industry you’re in, but making a start is the best way to move things in the right direction.

Power Your Business with a Biomass Boiler

If you want to heat your premises for next to nothing, a biomass boiler is just the kind of addition you need. By burning green waste and piping the heat around the building, you can easily reduce your energy bill without even thinking about it. It also allows you to get rid of green waste for free if that’s something you regularly generate onsite. Ideal for tackling two problems at the same time with a little bit of green thinking.