Ever been on Weight Watchers? The single most effective strategy they give dieters is getting them to write down what they eat. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. When an organization takes on a sustainability agenda, it is forced to track operational waste by examining the use of energy, supplies, and raw materials. To streamline paper, lighting, and electricity use, these organizations must go through a thorough audit. And it’s just about always worth it.
Organizations might even find that going green requires an upfront investment; LED lights are more expensive than standard bulbs, but last up to 50 times longer. This saves hundreds of dollars per bulb over time. (Quick math: an organization has 10 branch offices. Each branch uses 1,000 bulbs to keep the corridors lit. A $200 savings per bulb could save two million dollars.)
Bottom line: Having a sustainability agenda forces tracking. Tracking creates efficiency.