Five Ways an Environmental Contractor Can Improve Your Business

Environmental contracting is a fast-growing industry, but many small business owners are still unaware of the potential benefits of hiring a contractor. While it may be hard to justify shelling out for an external service, especially if it’s not immediately essential for day-to-day operations, the long-term savings that this investment can generate will make it well worth your consideration.

1. Legal Compliance

It can be tempting to turn a blind eye to possible environmental violations, particularly if your business is small. However, ignoring legal regulations carries the risk of financial burdens that eclipse any imagined savings from non-compliance. In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency succeeded in securing $9 billion in judicially-mandated efforts by businesses to reduce pollutants or clean contaminated areas, as well as $208 million in civil fines and $44 million in criminal fines. Hiring an environmental contractor to review your business practices can help ensure that you avoid incurring any unexpected penalties.

2. Company Image

Faced with deteriorating ocean health, extreme weather patterns, increased extinction rates, and rising global temperatures, many Americans are becoming more concerned about the environmental impact of their buying habits. Accordingly, businesses that appear to take steps to improve their environmental footprint can improve their image to consumers. Hiring environmental contractors to assess your business can translate into an advantageous marketing resource.

3. Green Branding

Since products that appear to be environmentally-conscious are becoming more and more appealing to consumers, an environmental contractor can help your business identify ways to make your products more environmentally-friendly. One way this can be achieved is to use sustainable materials such as recycled paper or biodegradable plastics. However, green branding is subject to strict regulations by the Federal Trade Commission. An environmental contractor can help ensure that your products meet the legal requirements for your green marketing claims.

4. In-House Savings

Reducing your carbon footprint and energy usage can directly result in savings beyond image-improvement and green marketing strategies. An environmental contractor can analyze your business from an environmental perspective and identify ways to reduce consumption and save money. Possible initiatives include minimizing energy wasted on heating and cooling, transitioning to sustainable and more cost-effective energy sources such as solar panels, lowering waste disposal expenses by expanding recycling programs, and maximizing transportation options for employees.

5. Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategies

Many businesses face public resistance when they are seeking to expand or enter into new areas, particularly if those areas are environmentally sensitive. Hiring an environmental contractor to conduct an environmental impact assessment can help counter these fears. In addition, the contractor can identify sites which would be least impacted, as well as offer suggestions to reduce any hypothetical impact.

For many business owners, new regulations and the emerging green economy represent uncharted waters. Hiring an environmental contractor can help you avoid legal pitfalls while taking advantage of everything that an eco-friendly image and environmentally responsible practices can offer.

If you’re a business owner in Florida and are considering the advantages of hiring an environmental contractor, Florida Groundwater Services (FGS) Group operates with a combined experience of 150 years, and may be able to offer low-cost solutions for your needs.

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