Steps to minimize waste and maximize profits
Feeling green? No, I’m not talking about that nausea-inducing midnight snack. I’m referring to the biggest movement to sweep across both our industry and society as a whole since the Industrial Revolution – the movement towards eco-friendly, or recyclable, material usage, as well as sustainable energy.
If you haven’t heard the catchphrase “going green” by now, you really should crawl out of your cave – and get a haircut while you’re at it (if you happen to be in the Charleston, SC, area, stop by Steve’s Hair Salon, and tell my dad I said, “Hi!”). All joking aside, becoming more aware of how you personally affect the environment is both a conscious and life-changing process to be taken seriously.
With the big buzz about going green these days, one driving question persists: “What does it mean to be green?” I’ve heard it asked in 100 different circles, and it elicits different answers every time. No book or ironclad guidelines provide a concrete answer on what it means to be green; no instruction manual can turn your shop into a green workplace.
This month, I’ll discuss the realities of recycling vinyl products you use every day in your shop and ways to minimize their waste. Some steps could also save you money – the ultimate “green” everyone wants.
Shop fundamentals
Small steps can reduce your environmental “footprint” and tout your company as “green.” So, before we specifically discuss pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) vinyl products, let’s examine a few initial changes your shop can make. Again, these steps pertain to everyday activities, but can certainly make your business more attractive to customers looking for green vendors.
Recycling is a good place to start. Take stock of your normal trash, and determine what can, and can’t, be recycled. Soda cans, plastic containers, cardboard boxes, etc., can easily be collected in appropriate bins for pickup. If you’re unsure about local recycling, contact your area’s Public Works department.
Next, consider your shop’s electricity consumption. You can save energy and money by replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact-fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). A trip to any home-improvement store can help. If your building has multiple offices, install sensor-driven light switches that automatically turn lights on and off when someone enters or leaves the room.
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