Greenopia founder Gay Browne offers tips to businesses looking to “go green.”

No matter the size, scope or aim of your business (selling products or providing services), you can do it in a way creates lighter environmental footprint. At Greenopia, we see it all, from family-run businesses who specialize in green, to larger corporations taking strides to be sustainable. Going green is for everyone, and every person (and business) can do their part, even if they’re not a ‘green’ business. You don’t have to sell solar panels or all-natural hemp body lotion to reduce your impact.

And since consumers have repeatedly attested that they would both pay more (even in these economic times) or take more time out of their schedule to be sure they are buying an environmentally-friendly product, going green means that your customers are more likely to return, spend their money with you, or go out of their way to find you.

Being eco-aware will also save your company cash in the long term (though some up-front investment might be necessary), which is why the term ‘green’ is so often used interchangeably with ’sustainable’. Investing in long-term strategies to green your company will ensure that your company is around, and profitable, for many years to come. Triple bottom line is the new way to be green and earn green.

Here are 5 Easy Tips to Help ANY Business To Lighten Their Environmental Footprint

1. Use less energy: This is first because it is number ONE! Whether you are working from a home office or your company has its own office building, using less energy will save you money, and cut your carbon footprint (and mitigate the effects of global warming). Turn down the heat a degree or two in the winter, and up a bit in the summer, encourage employees to power down computers, and make sure all lights are off at night. These are simple anyone-can-do-them ideas. Want more? Replace conventional bulbs with compact fluorescents (or better yet, LED bulbs) and invest in natural light (skylights, larger windows) to slash lighting costs.

2. Cut Down on Transportation: Whether it’s flying to far-flung locales for meetings, driving across town to meet with clients, or just the everyday commute to the office, use technology to cut down your footprint. (like gotomeeting.com and videoconferencing) rather than fossil fuels to connect you with your clients and associates is another easy way to save money, and better yet, time, while still meeting face to face and sharing documents.

3. Encourage Employee Creativity: Ask those who work for you, or with you, from the bottom up, to suggest ways to green your workplace. Crowd-sourcing for good ideas is how Google became the top company it is.

4. Really recycle: The most commonly non-recycled item in offices is paper, yet it’s one of the simplest things to recycle! It not only takes up space in landfills, creating new paper uses lots of resources to produce and ship. Make sure the basics are in place for real paper recycling in your office. Making sure cans and plastics in the lunchroom are recycled, and designating a person to make sure electronics are recycled properly (Earth911 is a great resource to recycled almost anything in your area) and recycling doesn’t cost a thing!

5. Source your office supplies wisely. Make sure you are using your bulk buying power for good! Recycled paper, reusable mugs instead of paper or plastic cups, refillable printer ink, even recycled folders, files, file boxes, furniture and more can all be found from all the major retailers, including Office Depot and OfficeMax.

The best part about making these simple and cost-effective changes is that then you can tell your customers about the steps you are taking to green your business. Once you’ve tackled the basics, your company can be proud that you are doing your part.

Always remember you can go onto Greenopia.com to apply to be listed with Greenopia, join our newsletter, or summit a business to be listed!

Gay Browne is the founder of Greenopia, a directory of retailers, services, and organizations that have a consistent track record of environmentally friendly practices. The directory is available online as well in printed format for New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.