There’s no denying that tech advancements and business success go hand in hand. In a world where we’re surrounded by technology at every step, it’s crucial for businesses to embrace tech trends and innovations in order to stay in the race. Since the business environment is becoming increasingly competitive, tech solutions can help companies in different industries gain a competitive edge and stand out from the crowd. Whether we’re talking retail, sales, finance or transport, technology is the driving force for progress and success in every sector.

However, there’s a lot more technology can do than improve business bottom line. Although that’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when associating tech with business, there’s also the environmental factor to take into consideration. This means tech advancements can also be used to boost a business’ sustainability efforts and protect the environment.

Environmental issues have been the talk of the town in the past few years, and businesses are growing more aware of the need to take action in this respect. That’s why every business out there, no matter how big or small, can and should learn to use technology to improve both profits and sustainability. Here are 5 ways in which technology can help businesses achieve this objective.

Renewable energy

Energy is needed to power every device and appliance in a company. Some pieces of equipment use a lot more energy than others, but the bottom line is they all need energy to run. Even if these devices don’t contribute directly to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as they don’t run on fossil fuels, they do use a lot of energy which still has a negative impact on the environment.

But companies can’t run their operations without their equipment, so there’s not much they can do about it, right? Luckily, there’s a way to tackle this issue by using renewable energy that is kind to the environment and can help businesses reduce their carbon footprint. Renewable energy that comes from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat provides a great alternative to traditional fossil fuel energy which is known to cause a lot of damage to our planet.

Some may argue that investing in renewable energy – installing solar panels, for example – implies an investment that many companies can’t afford. However, as technology advances, these innovations are becoming less expensive and therefore available to a lot of businesses that want to operate in an eco-friendly manner.

Energy efficiency

Speaking of energy and the impact it has on the environment, there’s another aspect that’s worth addressing – reducing the amount of energy used in office settings and on company premises. Let’s think about the many lightbulbs that are being turned on and off in an office every day and that nobody pays much attention to. They don’t seem to consume a lot of energy, but in the long run, their contribution to energy consumption is significant. That’s why using LED bulbs instead of conventional Incandescent bulbs is a much better option.

Also, other tech innovations such as using smart thermostats and switches that are connected to the IoT or sensors that can track energy consumption can do a lot for greenifying a business. Every small effort counts when it comes to energy conservation and environmental protection. 

Waste reduction

No matter how much effort businesses put into becoming sustainable, waste production remains inevitable. That’s why every company out there should have a solid waste management system in place that can help them tackle this issue in the most effective manner.

Once again, technology comes to the rescue, with various solutions that are easy to implement in all types of companies and that can make recycling infinitely easier and a lot more efficient. Businesses can now use compactors to manage the waste they produce, for example paper or cardboard, and minimize waste of time, space and money.

By using products made from recycled or recyclable materials, companies can further contribute to waste reduction and lower their carbon footprint. Innovations have made it easier than ever to purchase items that are not harmful to the environment. All it takes is a bit of research and implication from companies. Also, having a proper recycling program in place and educating employees on waste management topics can make a positive difference in the long run.

Predictive maintenance

We all know that prevention is better than cure, and that also applies in the business world. Companies can save a lot of time, effort and resources if they work towards preventing problems rather than trying to fix them after they’ve already happened. Which is why using tech advances to notify whenever a piece of equipment requires maintenance or is not functioning properly is one of the smartest solutions for improving sustainability.

IoT-based predictive maintenance is key for making sure all company assets work as expected and predict failures ahead of time. This makes it easier for companies to figure out when they have to perform maintenance work on their equipment and avoid costly repairs, reducing the waste of resources in the process.

Remote work

CO2 emissions are generally associated with transportation, and for good reason. The transportation sector is the largest generator of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. So, what can companies do about it and how can tech solutions help in this situation? The answer is pretty simple: through remote work.

These days, companies are all embracing the digital revolution and moving at least part of their operations in the online environment. This can mean providing their products and services online rather than relying exclusively on their physical presence, but it can also be achieved by creating a remote workforce. With less employees commuting to and from work, there will be less cars polluting the atmosphere. Innovations such as video-conference apps allow people to telecommute to work, thus eliminating the need to be physically present in an office environment daily.

As you can see, technology has made its way in every aspect of our lives, and there are countless ways businesses can take advantage of these advancements to support their sustainability efforts and set the stage for a brighter and healthier future for all of us.