Sustainability and green business practices matter more to customers than ever. In a 2017 survey of 1,000 Americans, 92% said they’re more likely to trust a company that supports social or environmental issues. Your team cares, too—according to a 2016 survey on millennial engagement, 64% of millennials consider a company’s social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work. In addition to supporting your customers and employees, sustainable practices can also help your business save money.
While going green does require an initial investment, those dollars can come back to you over time through energy and maintenance savings. For example, LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. That means lower energy bills and fewer time-consuming lamp changes. EV chargers can also support your bottom line; by charging users a fee, you can work toward recouping your upfront costs through the revenue they generate.
1. LED Lighting Retrofit- Lighting retrofits are an excellent way to start “greening” your business. By 2035, most lighting installations are expected to use LED technology, and the energy savings from LED lighting alone could reach 569 TWh per year—about the same as the annual energy output of more than ninety-two 1,000 MW power plants. In addition to saving a significant amount of energy, LEDs offer many advantages for your facility. They produce less heat, improve light quality, and deliver a much longer operating life.
2. Motion Sensor Lighting- Motion and vacancy sensors are a simple way to boost your energy savings when you install LED lighting. These controls automatically turn lights off when areas aren’t in use, so you don’t have to rely on people remembering to flip the switch.
3. EV Charging Stations- Under the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, electric cars are expected to account for more than 60% of global new car sales by 2030, with sales of new internal combustion engine cars ending in most major markets by the mid‑2030s. In reality, electric vehicle adoption has accelerated faster than earlier projections. According to the IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2024, electric cars accounted for 14% of global new car sales in 2022, increased to 18% in 2023, and surpassed 20% of new car sales in 2024, driven by falling battery costs, expanded model availability, and stronger policy support. As electric vehicles continue to gain market share, installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure is an increasingly important way for businesses to support this transition. For companies that operate vehicle fleets, electrifying fleet vehicles represents one of the most effective strategies for reducing operational emissions and overall carbon footprints, particularly as electricity grids continue to decarbonize.
4. Recycle Old Appliances and Material-Across Minnesota, the commercial sector is the largest source of municipal solid waste, accounting for more than half of the waste generated statewide. Studies by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency show that nearly two‑thirds of the material disposed of by businesses and non‑profits could be reused, recycled, or composted instead of landfilled or incinerated. As the state works toward ambitious recycling goals—75% recycling in the Twin Cities metro area and 35% in Greater Minnesota by 2030—businesses play a critical role. By prioritizing recycling and organics diversion, Minnesota businesses can significantly reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and support statewide environmental and economic goals.
5. Recycle Your Electronics- Electronic waste (e‑waste) is one of the fastest‑growing waste streams in the world. According to the UN Global E‑waste Monitor 2024, the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of e‑waste in 2022, an increase of more than 80% since 2010, and this figure is projected to rise to 82 million tonnes by 2030. Despite the value of recoverable materials in discarded electronics, only about 22% of e‑waste is formally collected and recycled worldwide. By responsibly recycling outdated electronics, businesses can reduce pollution, recover valuable resources, and significantly lower their environmental impact.
sources: iea.org, globalfueleconomy.org, pca.state.mn.us, revisor.mn.gov, unitar.org, who.int