Small Retail Businesses Grow by Going Green

It’s not just St. Patrick Day decorations that have retailers seeing green. Target, CVS, Whole Foods, Giant grocery stores, The Gap and yes, even WalMart are all big businesses that are making a public point to go green all year round. Some small businesses lament that it takes too much cash up front and too much time before seeing a return to invest in making their stores more environmentally conscious. The fact is small steps can get the green ball going and result in a variety of economical and ecological benefits for a range of retailers.

Aside from racking up PR bonus points that bring publicity and customer loyalty, retailers can cash in on savings by switching to environmentally friendly practices. One of the best places to start is by bagging the bags. Big or small, retailers can offer customers who bring their own bag a discount. Target deducts 5 cents for each bag a customer brings from home. CVS scans bags and gives customers cash back. Small businesses can sell reusable bags branded with their logo for cost and watch their repeat business build because people want to get what they paid for and more. Other ways to reduce spending on disposable products include installing hand dryers in the restroom and stocking the break room with real dishes employees can wash instead of trash.

Getting a grip on energy efficiency can equip retailers with the tools to lower their expenses and redirect the difference towards employee incentives and cutting costs for the customer. Requesting a free energy audit from the local utility company will help pin point problem areas. Being able to focus and prioritize will allow small changes to be made at first while large upgrades are planned for the future. Insulate the hot water tank until there are funds to purchase a new one or place a brick in the back of the toilet tanks then use the savings to install low-flush toilets and urinals in the future. It might not be feasible to install solar panels but it’s possible to replace burnt out light bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent (CFL) lights. Director of the Business Environmental Program at the University of Nevada-Reno, Chris Lynch encourages the idea by saying, "If you have five years left on your lease, the savings could pay for the project before the lease ends." Not everything needs to be implemented immediately but when the time comes to make a green investment it pays to note energy ratings and save the receipt to see if it is deductable at tax time.

Changing habits is one of the easiest and most affordable ways a company can become environmentally responsible. To make a difference in the planet and the profit margin start here:

• Take advantage of natural lighting and dim electrical fixtures during the day.
   
• Adjust settings on electronic equipment to optimize energy efficiency.
   
• Switching to organic cleaners instead of harsh solvents reduces environmental impact. Another cost effective solution is to use a homemade vinegar and water combination.
   
• Reduce paper waste by keeping employee communications digital and offering online receipts to customers.
   
• Use the tree that was saved to clean the air in a stale space. Bringing plants inside the store is refreshing and relaxing for most clientele, but forgo flowers to skip aggravating allergy attacks.  

Ultimately, by implementing these changes at work, employees carry them home helping to make a difference in their finances and the overall health of the planet.

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