By Ana Ellington
You know that green programs are good for business, so why is it so hard to get upper management buy-in? Maybe it’s because they don’t fully understand all of the benefits of a green program. Here are some convincing reasons to help you pitch starting a green program at your company.
1. It’s easy! Whether it’s a factory, plant, or general office space, opportunities to be green are in every workplace. You can easily train workers to save energy, recycle, and reduce waste at little cost to your company.
2. Your competitors probably have one. In a recent World Economic Forum survey, more than half of the companies responding said they produce a sustainability report separate from their annual reports. If you want to stay competitive or gain an advantage, a green program can help you do that.
3. Your workers want it. Most employees are interested in how their company is practicing corporate social responsibility. This is a great opportunity for you to shine in the eyes of your workers and to be an employer of choice—because most employees link positive environmental and social activities to brand reputation.
4. It will save money. It’s simple—cutting energy costs and reducing waste will save your company money. Tasks like printing on both sides of paper, turning off computers and lights during nonworking hours, and conducting water audits can add up to a huge savings for your company.
5. And finally, it will keep you ahead of the regs. Also, if you play in the global market, you’ll have to follow several European directives like Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE); Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS); and Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH)—this is true if you are just part of the supply chain.
Do you have any tips for making the case for going green to upper management? We want to hear from you. Start a conversation!
