The tech industry is supposed to be at the forefront of sustainability efforts. The public and private sectors look to it for solutions that help reduce carbon emissions and eco-friendly innovations.
The main problem is that adopting sustainable practices remains elusive in the tech sector where the consumption of energy remains constant.
That doesn’t mean tech startups should overlook sustainability initiatives. They can still develop and introduce new products and services without any adverse impact on the environment.
It’s only a matter of identifying best practices in green entrepreneurship and allocating the right amount of time and resources towards these. Here are five tips to help get you started if you want your tech brand to prosper as the sector goes green.
1. Optimize energy consumption on-site
Tech businesses rely on large data centers and servers to deliver services and develop new software products. Power consumption increases when you add more hardware to your on-site facility. A good workaround to this is by applying simple eco-friendly improvements.
In addition to replacing outdated light bulbs with LED ones, you will need to keep track of energy consumption. It’s also a good idea to replace older equipment with new ones with a high ENERGY STAR rating.
More importantly, you need to orient your staff on good energy-saving practices. These changes entail not just a reduction in your energy consumption but also a decrease in your monthly utility bill.
2. Invest in renewable energy sources
As a tech startup, you need all the energy you can get to run your equipment. Once your business expands, so does its appetite for power. This puts additional pressure on the local power grid and amplifies your business’s carbon footprint.
One way you can address this is by investing in renewable energy sources. It would help if you could invest in solar panels to run a part of your business. Not only will this help decrease your carbon contributions but it also entitles you to tax credits and rebates for the excess solar energy your business generates.
3. Adopt a circular economy model
Sustainability is not just about keeping your business’s power consumption in check. It’s also about reducing physical waste and incorporating eco-friendly materials into the work environment.
A good way to get started on this is by opting for an open office space design instead of dividing workstations into cubicles.
You can spend on and use less materials when you allow employees to work in shared tables. When looking for furniture and fixtures, opt to buy from vendors that reuse and recycle wood.
It also helps if your on-site facility has a water recycling system that reuses dirty water for flushing toilets or watering indoor plants.
4. Be a role model of sustainability
As a business leader in the tech sector, your employees look up to you for examples of how to promote sustainable practices.
From using a solar generator for remote work to commuting via public transportation systems, there are many ways you can position yourself as a role model and encourage your workforce to do the same. To give them an extra push, include sustainability as an official part of your business’s vision and mission.
Endnote
Creating an environmentally responsible tech business is possible when you can wield your influence and resources properly. By doing so, you’re not only improving your business’s reputation, but helping the planet in the process.
Main image by Alena Koval from Pexels
