Whether you work in a hundred-story office building, or run a local restaurant, there are always ways to change your business practices to reduce your impact on the environment. It can be tough to determine where to start, or what products to buy. “Greenwashing” is the term used to describe products that aren’t very much more environmentally friendly than others, but promote themselves that way. This problem arises because there is not a lot of regulation concerning “green” products, so you have to do your homework. Also, more often than not, “green” labeled products are often more expensive than others. It is important to keep in mind that every step you take makes a difference. Here are some tips on how to “green” your business, without breaking the bank or spending a day at the library.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It’s the age old saying, but it is the best place to start. Limit your paper usage as much as possible, and put a recycling bin next to the garbage can. Use paper made from post-consumer waste. It is also a great idea to store presentations and papers on flash drives or a tablet computer. This will save paper, and also promote your business as an environmentally conscious entity. If you are a restaurant, enroll in programs like City Harvest, which donate unused food and supplies to homeless shelters throughout your city.

Promote Green Activities for Your Employees

Encourage and create rewards programs for your employees. Ride share programs are a great place to start, and most public transportation systems offer a corporate plan that offer reduced bus fare for your employees. Keep reusable silverware and dishes at your office, and discourage the use of disposable wares. Make environmentally savvy information part of your newsletter or daily emails. Many changes are simple, and all it takes is a reminder for people to change their ways.

Host a Fundraiser or Donate to an Environmentally Friendly Program

You don’t have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, or start a worldwide movement, just be creative. Find out if any of your employees are involved in any environmental programs outside of work, and join the cause. Create incentives for your employees to raise the most money, or schedule a discussion topic within your weekly meetings. Not only will you be helping your community and the environment, you will build team communication among your employees and you can promote your business while doing it.

Saving the environment can seem like a daunting task, but consumers are growing more and more conscious about what businesses they patron. Take the first step towards going green, and you might be surprised how easy it is to get people motivated.

Nicole is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Advertising. She is interested in social media, new media, green and local business, and integrated advertising. Currently the Project Coordinator at Vidpon, Nicole works closely with the PR, Marketing, and Sales departments.

There’s no doubt that safety knives play a crucial role in safety at work, but what proportion of accidents at work would you guess were knife related? Surprisingly recent statistics show that knife injuries account for between 25% and 50% of all accidents at work which result in the employee requiring time off. That’s an astonishing statistic, and one worth thinking about.

By looking at the role safety knives play, and thinking about how they can be employed in conjunction with personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety policies it is very possible to cut back the number of injuries at work requiring time off by up to half. That would not only be a superb result as far as the safety and welfare of employees is concerned, but it is likely to have a very positive effect on the running costs to the business too.

Of the accidents at work caused by knives almost 90% result in an injury to the upper body, with just over half of all knife injuries causing damage to the fingers. A third of accidents cause damage to the arm, with feet, toes and legs all featuring in the statistics enough to cause concern. Most of the time knife accidents result in lacerations of one kind or another, and to varying levels of severity, but 6% of injuries are stabbings – accidental it is hoped.

So what can be done to reduce or eliminate these accidents? Are safety knives all it takes or is there more to it than this? There is no doubt at all that safety knives do play a very significant role in helping to reduce knife accidents, and with a very wide range of expertly designed safety knives now available there’s little reason for anyone to still be using open bladed, pointed knives in the majority of cases.

Many safety knives now include retractable blades, and in some cases the blade is only exposed once the handle is being held. A trigger which contains a spring will push the blade out or draw back the sheath, which means that in cases where the employee loses their grip or drops the knife the blade is automatically retracted. This helps to protect against leg and foot injuries in many cases, although it may not always be enough, and is unlikely to be appropriate in all situations.

It’s important to bear in mind that in addition to providing appropriate safety knives at work it is also important to think about related PPE equipment. This might include safety gloves which help to protect against cutting or stabbing. In some cases arm protection or wrist protection may be needed in addition to gloves protecting the hand, and leg protection in the form of chain aprons may also prove to be helpful in lowering the number of knife related accidents. As well as blades which do not have a pointed tip, or which retract or sheathe the blade when dropped, wearing proper foot protection will also be valuable. Open toed sandals and thin trainers or shoes will offer little protection, whereas leather boots or steel capped boots will offer better protection.

In any business where knives are needed it will be essential to have a clear policy on the use of knives at work, in order to prevent silly, unnecessary injuries such as those caused by people walking about with exposed blades, or having them in belts or pockets not designed for the job. It is also highly advisable to have a policy in place which means that each safety knife is loaned to one individual, who is then responsible for the care and use of the knife. Finally, it’s always work re-evaluating the tasks which require safety knives in the first place, in case there is any way in which the manufacturing process can be altered or adapted to warrant the use of knives unnecessary, or at least reduced.

Hiring an outside building maintenance company can save you time, energy, hassle, and of course, money! But how can you make sure that you’re getting the best service your money can buy? The following questions can help uncover whether the commercial property maintenance company you’re interviewing is the one for your needs.

How long have you been in business?

While everyone has to start somewhere, an ideal building maintenance company will have at least 15 years of experience to draw from. This not only shows that they have long term experience, but also that they are successful in a competitive industry, have sustained business through hard times, and are more likely to be in business quite a while in the future.

What range of services can you provide?

When outsourcing your building maintenance, the ideal scenario is to find one company that can address all of your needs. Look for a company that not only offers emergency services, but also licensed HVAC, plumbing, knowledge of proper code, fire safety, general carpentry, and of course, preventative maintenance.

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

Sadly, not all companies are bonded and insured, meaning that if something goes wrong while on your property, you’re left holding the ball (and the bill!) A simple mistake in plumbing could potentially cost tens of thousands of dollars in damages if the vendor does not carry sufficient coverage.

Do you guarantee your work?

We often hear the term, “satisfaction guaranteed,” but find a company that truly sticks by this. Commercial property maintenance can involve a very wide range of required tasks, and it gives you peace of mind when you know that the work completed is guaranteed to meet both your and your tenants’ expectations.

Do you have references?

A reputable company will be happy to give references of past clients that have utilized their services. Remember that a company who provides many services may have references that are not just building maintenance, but janitorial services, lawn care, healthcare facility maintenance, and more.

What are your hiring practices?

The personnel of the building maintenance company you choose will be accessing your property, so it is important to know what types of background checks and training the employees will have.

What type of equipment will you be using?

A major benefit of outsourcing commercial property maintenance is that you don’t have to use precious capital to buy top of the line maintenance equipment. Ensure that the building maintenance company you choose will be well-trained in the most up-to-date techniques, and be using quality products.

Do you offer emergency or on-call services?

Knowing when the building maintenance personnel are available is a very important thing to consider, as you may need service at any time during the day or night. While you may not want to retain a commercial property maintenance company full time, you can certainly find one to cover holidays, emergencies, or off-peak hours.

With so many building maintenance companies to choose from, it’s important to get it right the first time. When interviewing companies, ask these questions to ensure you are hiring someone with the experience and expertise you need.