The Ins and Outs of Sustainable Restrooms
Your business can have a positive impact on the environment in a ton of ways, but somewhere that’s often overlooked is the restroom. Even small changes can have a big impact. We’ve got some great ideas on how to make your small business restroom as green—and clean—as can be.
First and foremost, let’s define sustainability. It’s not the same as eco-friendly, which means that something won’t harm the environment. The Balance SMB lays out sustainability as “acting in a way that ensures future generations have the natural resources available to live an equal, if not better, way of life as current generations.” Sustainable products need to be made from things that are renewable, thus ensuring future generations will have the same resources we enjoy today.
According to a recent study published on Forbes.com, there’s a very real disconnect between retailers and consumers when it comes to sustainability. Interestingly enough, “it’s the consumer—specifically the Gen Z consumer—that has elevated the sustainability conversation” according to the article. That really points to the fact that going the sustainable route in your business will put you at the forefront of what’s sure to be commonplace in the near future.
Sustainable Products
We can reduce greenhouse gases by sticking to goods that are made using recycled or renewable materials, such as plastic dispensers for toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. The paper/cleaning products themselves that are also now widely available and made entirely from sustainable materials. Items that are certified by organizations such a Green Seal are ideal for businesses hoping to reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to a wider customer base. According to the Green Seal website, “the Green Seal certification mark is a universal symbol that a product or service meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership.” Cleaning products that don’t contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to ground-level ozone, are also something you’ll want to add to your cleaning closet.
Automate Whenever Possible
Perhaps even better than using recycled materials for hand towel dispensers is automating the entire process itself. Air dryers eliminate the need for towels in general. There are the push-button types, but the sensor-activated dryers are an ideal solution. This ensures the dryers are only running when absolutely needed—and not for another 30 seconds after a consumer has left the restroom. The same goes for sensor-activated water faucets.
Cut Back on Toilet Water Usage
Hand-faucet sensors play a key role in reducing water consumption, but so do low-flow and dual-flush toilets—which are becoming more and more accessible. An article on the EPA’s website notes that “if all old, inefficient toilets in the United States were replaced with WaterSense labeled models, we could save 360 billion gallons of water per year, or the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in about 9 days.”
Updating your restrooms to be more sustainable is a great way to help the environment, save money, and send a positive message about your stance on sustainability. So if you’re ready to make a change—be it a giant overhaul or a small update—consider the benefits of a line of credit from ARF Financial. You’ll get access to 5 separate loan drafts over a 6-month period, and you only pay interest on what you borrow. Because having a financial safety net is smart, and ARF Financial has the best loan solutions for your business.