How can a retail store become more environmentally friendly?

Question

I work at a specialty running store and for the month of April we want to launch a more environmentally friendly way of doing things, not only within the store but directly with customers. We have done away with our big plastic bags and have invested in canvas/organic reuseable bags. But of course we would like to do a lot more. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

turn off tills when your not using them.

use a battery powered radio,instead of plugging it in.

open the door when its hot

close it when its cold instead of using heating.

Maybe offer to fill peoples water bottles by tap,instead of them buying more

Only print till reciepts upon request.

Don't use air freshners

Limit the amount of deliveries to your store.

Start recyling,maybe people could bring in old running stuff-trainers ect to be recycled.

Use pencils made out of recycled material as opposed to pens

Recyle boxes/packaging that you get stock sent in with or re use it

Join a charity that deals with enviromentally friendly topics and have it on your till so customers can put there lose change in.

Start doing an annual charity run for enviromental awareness

Thats all i could think of.xx

Answer 2

recycle

give out info like pamphlets

print all your stuff out on recyclable paper

umm

and whatever else you can think of

good luck

"GO GREEN"

=]

Answer 3

Re use paper dont use the heater to much recycle things

Answer 4

get recycle bins, reuse paper in the office if there is one

Answer 5

How about:

Using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.

Passing out literature on how your customers can be more environmentally friendly in their own lives/homes.

Dim the lights.

Lower the thermostat a bit.

Answer 6

Canvas/reusable bags.

Recycle bins.

Enviromently friendly cleaning products.

Instead of papertowles in the bathroom get one of those air drying things.

At the store I work at we have this thing where if people bring in their own bags (some people reuse the pastic bags) they get 5 cents off their order for every bag.

Answer 7

Start with energy saving initiatives.  

Lighting and heating/air conditioning are some of the most common sources of energy waste.  

To reduce powered lighting: 1. Paint walls in a brighter color, 2. Use motion sensors in store areas with sporadic occupancy like bathrooms and storerooms, 3. Install a few more mirrors.  

To reduce heating/air conditioning costs: 1. Install carpeting (google search for: bamboo carpet), 2. Install a motion activated "air curtain" (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-cu... keep the cold and heat outside your door, 3. Request an inspection of your heating/cooling system to ensure it is 100% operational without leaks, etc.

I have to agree with using environmentally friendly cleaners as well.

Answer 8

depends on how much renovating you want to do. you can try simple things like changing the lamps to flourescent or dimmable incandescents (better looking than harsh flourescent) try using recycling trash cans (and make them the only kind of trash bins in the store) it's good that you are using canvas bags, maybe incourage repeat costomers to bring them back when they shop.

if you are planning on changing furnishing or finishes in the store, select only materials from companies that produce sustainable materials (there are many out there now) it's also great to find local stores that carry green products /bc then there is less immission from transportation from an area far away.

use as many green labeled products as possible, even down to your cleaning supplies.