America needs to transition to a more sustainable future and a greener economy. This shift requires a broad commitment to making changes at all levels from grassroots to large corporations, but small businesses have one of the greatest roles in San Diego. That's because small businesses employ a significant proportion of the work force. If small-business owners implement environmental best practices in the workplace, the effects will move out into the community and into the homes of their employees as people see the advantages of being green.
There are many places in San Diego for small businesses to get help in implementing energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint.
The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) offers a wide range of technical support and educational resources. The center's staff of engineers and technical specialists offers advisory services, including energy auditing, renewable energy alternatives, carbon impact quantification, green building planning and how to obtain rebates for renewable energy technologies. CCSE also conducts dozens of workshops on energy topics and houses the San Diego Energy Resource Center, where you can pick up educational literature and see demonstrations of energy-saving technologies and techniques. Most of CCSE's services are free, funded by utility ratepayer tariffs.
To get the green ball rolling, take a few minutes to analyze your operations in the office, factory or field for their impact on the environment. Identify areas of waste and look for ways to make changes. Here are some simple things you can do to make daily work practices greener by rethinking, reducing, reusing and recycling.
• Power Down, Don't just log off computers at night, turn monitors off. Use the computer's power management features to power monitors down after a few minutes of not being used.
• Light Right, Install energy-efficient lighting throughout your company, including occupancy sensor switches.
• Recycle Instantly, Place small recycling bins at all work stations and common-use areas, particularly the break and copy rooms. Put larger bins at entryways and near main trash areas. If your waste disposal company does not take recyclables, ask your employees to help by taking the materials to a recycling facility.
• Print Smart, Encourage employees to print double-sided. Post signs at each printer as a reminder. Eliminate the need to print every company communication by distributing electronically.
• Reduce Disposables, Provide each employee a plate and coffee cup to discourage the use of paper products. Ask them to bring reusable silverware, and if you must use disposable items, make sure they are biodegradable products.
• Recycled Paper, Use recycled copy paper, letterhead and envelopes. You can even get recycled paper hand towels and bathroom tissues.
• Right Choices,Select vendors that supply environmentally friendly products or use green practices. This includes using print companies that buy FSC certified paper, use soy-based ink and print on recycled paper.
• Time Off, Plug coffee pots and other small electronics into a wall plug or power bar that is controlled by a switch so that they are easy to turn off when not needed.
• Keep Cool, Use fans to reduce the need for air conditioning and install programmable thermostats to control heating and cooling of spaces when not in use.
• Routine Maintenance, Just like your car, energy-consuming devices will run better and cost less to operate if you perform routine maintenance.
• Check Labels, Look for the EPA Energy Star label, which means products use less energy.
For small businesses that want to go beyond the basic steps, they can consider more proactive measures that might require additional up-front costs, but they can recoup these costs in the long term.
• Go Solar, For energy and cost savings, the sun makes for an attractive power-source alternative. Solar, or photovoltaic (PV), systems are now more efficient than ever before, and CCSE can assist in evaluating what PV systems to consider. Solar water heating is particularly useful for businesses that consistently require hot water and the. CCSE can help you understand the systems and how to obtain rebates for qualifying installations.
• Energy Efficiency, From the building perspective, things to consider are insulation, energy-efficient mechanical systems and motors and site considerations, such as landscaping and hardscaping.
• Transportation, An increasing number of alternative energy cars, vans and trucks are becoming more available and less expensive. CCSE offers rebates for certain alternate-fueled vehicles through the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
CCSE has the expertise to assist any small business that wants to get on the path to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. You can learn more about business energy savings, energy consulting and rebates by visiting the CCSE website at www.energycenter.org or by calling 866-SDENERGY (866-733-6374).
There are many places in San Diego for small businesses to get help in implementing energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint.
The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) offers a wide range of technical support and educational resources. The center's staff of engineers and technical specialists offers advisory services, including energy auditing, renewable energy alternatives, carbon impact quantification, green building planning and how to obtain rebates for renewable energy technologies. CCSE also conducts dozens of workshops on energy topics and houses the San Diego Energy Resource Center, where you can pick up educational literature and see demonstrations of energy-saving technologies and techniques. Most of CCSE's services are free, funded by utility ratepayer tariffs.
To get the green ball rolling, take a few minutes to analyze your operations in the office, factory or field for their impact on the environment. Identify areas of waste and look for ways to make changes. Here are some simple things you can do to make daily work practices greener by rethinking, reducing, reusing and recycling.
• Power Down, Don't just log off computers at night, turn monitors off. Use the computer's power management features to power monitors down after a few minutes of not being used.
• Light Right, Install energy-efficient lighting throughout your company, including occupancy sensor switches.
• Recycle Instantly, Place small recycling bins at all work stations and common-use areas, particularly the break and copy rooms. Put larger bins at entryways and near main trash areas. If your waste disposal company does not take recyclables, ask your employees to help by taking the materials to a recycling facility.
• Print Smart, Encourage employees to print double-sided. Post signs at each printer as a reminder. Eliminate the need to print every company communication by distributing electronically.
• Reduce Disposables, Provide each employee a plate and coffee cup to discourage the use of paper products. Ask them to bring reusable silverware, and if you must use disposable items, make sure they are biodegradable products.
• Recycled Paper, Use recycled copy paper, letterhead and envelopes. You can even get recycled paper hand towels and bathroom tissues.
• Right Choices,Select vendors that supply environmentally friendly products or use green practices. This includes using print companies that buy FSC certified paper, use soy-based ink and print on recycled paper.
• Time Off, Plug coffee pots and other small electronics into a wall plug or power bar that is controlled by a switch so that they are easy to turn off when not needed.
• Keep Cool, Use fans to reduce the need for air conditioning and install programmable thermostats to control heating and cooling of spaces when not in use.
• Routine Maintenance, Just like your car, energy-consuming devices will run better and cost less to operate if you perform routine maintenance.
• Check Labels, Look for the EPA Energy Star label, which means products use less energy.
For small businesses that want to go beyond the basic steps, they can consider more proactive measures that might require additional up-front costs, but they can recoup these costs in the long term.
• Go Solar, For energy and cost savings, the sun makes for an attractive power-source alternative. Solar, or photovoltaic (PV), systems are now more efficient than ever before, and CCSE can assist in evaluating what PV systems to consider. Solar water heating is particularly useful for businesses that consistently require hot water and the. CCSE can help you understand the systems and how to obtain rebates for qualifying installations.
• Energy Efficiency, From the building perspective, things to consider are insulation, energy-efficient mechanical systems and motors and site considerations, such as landscaping and hardscaping.
• Transportation, An increasing number of alternative energy cars, vans and trucks are becoming more available and less expensive. CCSE offers rebates for certain alternate-fueled vehicles through the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
CCSE has the expertise to assist any small business that wants to get on the path to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. You can learn more about business energy savings, energy consulting and rebates by visiting the CCSE website at www.energycenter.org or by calling 866-SDENERGY (866-733-6374).