7 Ways to Cut Driving to Reduce Your Workplace’s Carbon Footprint

As sustainability spreads deeper into consumer consciousness, making your small business more environmentally-friendly is not just the right thing to do, it’s a profitable marketing decision. Companies are increasingly eager to publicize efforts to go green with their products, supply chains, and even in their own offices, and customers are increasingly enthusiastic about supporting these companies. For small businesses looking to reduce their workplace’s carbon footprint, finding ways to rely less on automobiles is an effective and rewarding approach.

Driving is one of the most significant causes of air pollution and global warming. According to the Federal Highway Administration, vehicles account for almost ¼ of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions. In the US, vehicles produce more than 333 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, a staggering 45 percent of the world’s total auto carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon dioxide is the principle greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, but automobiles spew numerous other harmful compounds into the air. These include carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides (a key contributor to smog), and carcinogenic hydrocarbons and particulate matter, among others.

Driving also consumes major quantities of fossil fuels, and bolsters dependence on foreign oil. The average American driver uses 600 gallons of gas a year, which is, of course, also a significant expense.

For small business offices going green, here are seven ways to reduce the driving necessary to daily operations:

1. Encourage Carpooling

Employee carpooling is a basic step to cut back on cars coming in to the office. It has the added advantages of saving employees money, reducing a business’s parking needs, and promoting camaraderie among co-workers. For minimally-staffed businesses, or those with scattered employees, websites like eRideShare.com match people for whom carpooling would make sense.

2. Encourage Biking

Provide bicycle racks for employees. Bike-to-work days are a popular way to motivate people to make use of this alternative. The physical activity is good for employee health, too, and will boost their mood and productivity. Under the Bicycle Commuter Act, employers of bike commuters are eligible for a monthly $20 tax credit.

3. Encourage Use of Public Transportation

Another important step in reducing employee driving is the use of public transportation. Offer incentives, or partially or fully subsidize the cost of riding the bus or train. Many people find the elimination of traffic-related stress from their commute does wonders for their mood as well.

4. Make Use of Telecommuting

With the technology readily available to businesses, many jobs no longer have to be performed in the office. Some can be fully converted to telecommuting positions, but more often, certain employees can spend a day or two working from home, and the others on-site. Small changes do add up; according to the Federal Highway Administration, one person driving two days less a week saves 143 gallons of gas and cuts out about 12,800 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

5. Fewer Days, Longer Hours

Besides telecommuting, there’s another easy option to eliminate a day of driving for some employees: offer workweeks consisting of four 10-hour days rather than five 8-hour days. Even with slightly longer shifts, staff will regard a three-day weekend as a job perk.

6. Forgo the Water Jugs

Many offices have jugs of water delivered. While this is certainly a greener practice than personal plastic water bottles, it needlessly puts more trucks, a primary consumer of diesel fuel, on the roads. Instead, get a tap water filter. Filtered tap water is no less safe than bottled water; in fact, it may be more so. Tap water is subject to stricter regulations and oversight under the Environmental Protection Agency than bottled water, which is overseen by the Food and Drug Administration.

7. Cooperate With Neighbors

If, like many small businesses, you share office or retail space with other companies, look into receiving deliveries of office supplies and other materials together. Even shopping trips can be coordinated between multiple offices. Not only will this reduce driving, but it often allows for larger bulk purchases at lower costs.

Working to reduce your small business office’s reliance on automobiles is an easy and effective way to shrink the company’s carbon footprint. There are cost-saving possibilities in certain green strategies, and efforts to participate in sustainable practices are becoming more potent a marketing tool every year. These are good business practices from an ethical and financial standpoint, so you and your employees can feel pride in the company’s efforts.

About the Author:
About the Author:
JD Carr has over a decade of experience as a web developer and entrepreneur. He is responsible for development and the day-to-day operations at urThots.com and musespring.com.