If you’re a small business owner you may have considered trying to be more eco-friendly. Plenty of people will tell you it is the only way to go but some websites that provide small business tips may tell you that the cost of going green outweighs any benefit to the environment. Here, though, are some business tips on how to make going green good for the environment and your bottom line.

Start Small

Your business doesn’t have to convert to 100% solar power and paper-free overnight to be eco-friendly. Businesses that sell merchandise can start by not offering shopping bags. Even before the EU banned single-use plastics like plastic shopping bags, many EU stores either didn’t offer shopping bags or offered paper bags for a small fee. In the US grocers like Natural Grocers have made this move, making the boxes they receive from deliveries available for customers who forget their reusable bags. Nationwide beauty chain Sally’s has implemented a small charge for paper bags if customers require one. This movement is only likely to increase and the fact is that when you begin this model it costs you absolutely nothing. It’s one less thing for your business to buy and is a selling point for eco-conscious shoppers.  

Try to recycle and reduce. Many businesses don’t even have convenient recycling bins for their employees. Work with your cleaning crew to make recycling as easy as possible for your team. Look for places your business can cut out paper. How many of your customers are throwing their paper receipts right into your trash? Consider adding an option for them to receive their receipts electronically or skip it altogether.  

Big Moves

When you’re ready to make bigger changes, going solar can be a huge selling point for your business. While there is a large investment upfront, local and national rebates and tax incentives can bring the cost of going solar down to a surprisingly affordable level. When you consider the savings you’ll reap on your electric bills, solar appears even more attractive. Finally, solar can be the cornerstone of your marketing campaign and brand identity. Shoppers love the idea of a business that reduces its carbon footprint. Even restaurants and bars have used going solar as a major selling point. 

These are only a few ways you can make going green pay you back. Even if you wind up spending more in some places, like for eco-friendly cleaning supplies, the money you save and the money you generate through going green can cover the incidentals.