If your business is not recycling, you could be missing out on a lot of benefits. It is not just about helping the environment. There are some real, tangible benefits for businesses that support renewable energy and recycle all different types of items in the workplace.
Improving environmental credentials and strengthen your brand – customers are becoming more likely to deal with businesses with proven environmental credentials.
You can attract new customers and improve customer loyalty by demonstrating your environmental responsibility through renewable energy and recycling efforts.
- Lower waste costs – recycling is not just the right thing to do. It is actually something that can help your business’s bottom line. If you recycle things like frames, packaging, cans, glass, paper and other materials, that means there is less going into those waste bins every week. And since your business likely pays some type of waste management fee, you can potentially save on those bills by producing less waste.
- A more secure energy supply – fossil fuels will not last forever and supply is increasingly dependent on imports. In contrast, renewable sources occur naturally, in all regions, and will not run out.
- Stable energy costs – renewable energy sources are not subject to the same price rises as fossil fuels because of this security. If generating your own renewable energy is not an option, but you still want your business to go green, considering a green energy tariff can help stabilise your energy costs. Some energy suppliers get all their energy from renewable sources, so opting for them means none of the energy you use comes from fossil fuels.
- Future proofing – using renewable energy will become more widespread. Indeed, legislation is already setting targets for its use in some new developments. Switching sooner rather than later will give you a head start in renewable energy expertise.
- Subsidy – a large range of subsidies are already available for businesses using renewable energy, these include the Feed in Tariff (FIT) and the Renewables Heat Incentive (RHI). See www.energy savingtrust.org.uk. Eligible businesses can therefore benefit greatly from these deals.
- Exemption from paying duty under the Climate Change Levy (CCL) – this government levy is a tax on the energy used by businesses and is added onto your business energy bills. See www.gov.uk. It is paid on all non-renewable energy you use and is applicable to all businesses, regardless of who your energy supplier is.
As an independent optician, you want to show your patients, customers and community that you care about their wellbeing. This goes much deeper than just providing them with the best quality eye care and eyewear.
You need to make smart business decisions to prove to your audience that you have their best interest at heart and that your values align with the business choices you make.
