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GOING GREEN
While repackaging our last large delivery I became aware of the huge amount of needless waste and ancillary pollution even a small business generates. By making a few changes I can reduce air pollution, solid waste and save natural resources economically.
We pay to have tons of packaging material:
• Manufactured
• Shipped halfway around the world
• Trucked halfway across the United States
Then we throw it away and it is:
• loaded into a trash truck
• loaded into a train
• Dumped in a landfill
Then we package our products and the cycle is repeated.
The electricity we use causes waste and pollution. Most of our electric is generated by a Nuclear plant in Callaway Missouri or coal fired plants. The generation of this electric is responsible for creating a stream of waste and pollution across the U.S. as fuel is mined, processed and used and the resulting waste is disposed of.
The amount of fuel wasted and pollution generated is astounding.
I have decided to do what I can to reduce the amount of waste and pollution generated as part of doing business.
The effort isn’t free of cost however the impact we alone can make is impressive:
Reduce packaging waste
• Whenever possible reduce bulk packs and over packs; order products in individual containers than can be used to ship the products.
• Use recycled packaging materials
• Use packaging materials that can be recycled
My cost: Approximately $500 per year
Pollution reduction = 1400 pounds solid waste. Air pollution = can’t calculate, estimated to be Two tons.
Reduce transportation
• Encourage customers to combine shipping by offering shipping discounts.
My cost: 0
Pollution reduction = Air pollution; can’t calculate, estimated one ton.
Reduce energy use
• Use high efficiency lighting and appliances.
• Monitor and control energy usage.
• Improve insulation.
My cost: Short term : $400 long term over five years 0, after that approximately $90 / year savings.
Pollution reduction = 1 Mwh / year X 800 pounds = 800 pound reduction.
Use green energy
• Enroll in the voluntary renewable energy program. This program costs 1.5 cents per kilowatt hour to purchase electric produced in regional wind and renewable energy generation facilities.
My cost: based on 10.8 kilowatt hours per year : $162 a year.
According to Ameren UE the average customer who enrolls will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 19500 pounds. Equivalent to driving a car for two years.
Estimated five year totals
• Air pollution reduction 131,500 pounds
• Solid waste reduction 7000 pounds
• Cost $3310
It’s worth fourteen bucks a week to me to make a huge reduction in the amount of waste and pollution.
Some other steps that I have implemented not included in these calculations:
Recycle packaging materials as much as possible.
Combine trips.
Have the Post office pick up shipments
Use a motorcycle as much as possible for chores.
We only have one planet. I encourage you to do your part.
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