Spotlight on:

The Franchise 
Maker

   
Mona-vie

   
UNITS Mobile Storage

   
Validation Technologies, Inc.,

   
Visual Innovations Group

   
Consolidated Consultants Co.

   
Tel-Excel Inc/
Billie Clarke’s Answering Service

  August 6, 2009       |      Volume 3, Issue 8         |        www.sdchamber.org      |       contact us

How to Go Green... Without Spending Any

By Lisa Gesner, Communications Manager

Going green, by recycling, conserving, replacing outdated systems and making use of the environmentally friendly technology around us has become the mark of responsible and forward-thinking business.  In today’s economic situation, businesses across the region have learned to juggle environmentally responsible practices without breaking the bank.

Conserving resources isn’t always just about water, paper and energy - sometimes it applies to your bottom line, too.  Our members shared how they managed to go green in today’s economy.

Going green doesn’t have to be expensive, notes Chris Vassallo of K&R Network Solutions, an IT Services company.  “Lessening your impact on the environment can be as easy as disposing of old equipment responsibly, shutting down computers at the end of the day and making sure energy settings are optimal.”  Vassallo also recommends moving physical servers to more virtual solutions.  “This can save your company over $4,000 per year in electric costs alone, while minimizing energy usage.” said Vassallo.

Wondering where to responsibly discard that old computer?  Donate it to the Goodwill Industries of San Diego County, which offers recycling for used computers, televisions and other electronic items through a partnership with Dell Inc. and government funded recycling programs.  “We are also launching a document scanning business for use administratively and for the public to help save paper,” said Mike Rowan, Goodwill Industries of San Diego County.  “Internally, we recycle all white paper.”

Businesses can also take advantage of money-saving programs, like SDG&E’s two-year interest-free loan program for energy improvements.  Old Town Trolley tours used this program to replace warehouse lights with a more energy efficient light and motion sensor lighting system.  “We’ve cut down our energy usage by about a third,” said David Thornton of Old Town Trolley Tours.

Other businesses have implemented company-wide strategies to help employees focus on going green, like the Port of San Diego’s Green Purchasing Program.  “We make sure that supplies we purchase have a minimum impact on the environment. We’re looking into different types of paper, such as those made from recycled content or that come from sustainably managed forests," says Kelly Makley, Port of San Diego.  And the program hasn’t placed financial stress on the Port.  “Most green products are priced very competitively with standard products, so we’ve been able to keep up the program without added expense,” added Dave Thompson at the Port.  The Port of San Diego also has a program which provides 100% reimbursement of all employees' bus, trolley, or train passes, to encourage use of public transportation, decrease employees' carbon footprints and save money on commuter fuel costs.

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