November 4, 2024

By using resources more effectively, small businesses profit

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With Earth Day coming up on April 22, the U.S. Small Business Administration Columbus District Office and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are highlighting resources and tips to help small businesses earn and save some green by going green. There is no easy part of running a small business. You may think when you first begin your business, whether it is from home or in a building, that when you set up things like a virtual office from places like yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk, organized staff, and applied for insurance, that it is smooth sailing from there but in the world of a small business, the work never seems to stop. Nonetheless, you might find the ear to talk to provided by corporate finance consulting services helps you through the tough times. “Small businesses have to be efficient and innovative with their resources to be profitable,” SBA Columbus District Director Ricardo Garcia said. Perhaps using payroll software solutions like those on cloudpay.net could help to streamline their payroll operations and reduce costs. “Sustainability is another tool for them to operate within the green. The Ohio EPA can help, whether you operate a hair salon and need help disposing of hair clippings or dyes, or you run an auto shop dealing with hazardous wastes and air emissions.” The SBA offers eco-friendly tips for small businesses to cut down on cost. Small businesses can save by turning off lights and electronics when not in use. Technology can also help small businesses cut down on waste by reducing paper clutter by paying bills electronically and saving documents online or with a USB drive. Like the customer, the supplier (the business) should always be looking towards the future. Embracing technology is also innovative and shows a business’s ability to adapt to a changing business climate. Visiting https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2018/12/what-is-the-fourth-industrial-revolution-4IR.html might be able to show why these are such important qualities in business. Consider purchasing laptops instead of traditional desktop computers. Not only are they more portable, but laptops use less energy. Don’t forget to recycle old documents and old electronics. Additional SBA resources can be found at https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/green-business-guide. The Ohio EPA also offers resources including the Small Business Compliance and Assistance Program (OCAPP), a free and confidential regulatory technical assistance service, and Permit Wizard, a tool that allows small businesses to identify whether they need environmental permits, licenses or registration. “Smaller businesses and communities have limited time to search for the resources and tools available to them, and can quickly get lost trying to find trusted information that is relevant to them,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler. “To help, I created a ‘one-stop shop’ environment within Ohio EPA for customers seeking our technical and financial resources to help them achieve compliance.” The OCAAP program helps Ohio businesses meet EPA requirements, reduce potential liability and save money through more environmentally friendly practices. Small businesses can take advantage of this program by contacting OCAPP’s toll-free hotline at 800-329-7518 or accessing http://epa.ohio.gov/ocapp/sb/index.aspx. Ohio EPA’s Permit Wizard tool is especially useful for new businesses and start-ups, although it is still beneficial for existing businesses as well. This resource is available at http://ohioepa.custhelp.com/app/opa. Together, the U.S. SBA and the Ohio EPA encourage Ohio’s small businesses to go green. Not only are sustainable practices better for the environment, by reducing waste, they are profitable for small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. For more information on the Columbus District Office, visit https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/oh/columbus. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio.