Eco-friendly business practices attract customers and offer valuable savings over time, all while supporting your local and global community. Green business ideas can take many forms; some may require implementation over time. These sustainability tips from Rentec Direct include information on how the Oregon-based company implemented each goal. Alongside general business tips, you’ll find ideas that real estate owners, landlords, investors, and property managers can use at their rental properties.

Sustainability and greener business practices go hand in hand with supporting your community locally and beyond. While businesses may have been able to scrape by with just a recycling bin in the foyer, once upon a time, customers now require more from the companies they continue supporting.

This is particularly true for the younger demographic of adults—a key renter demographic. Gen Z and Millennial adults (adults approximately between the ages of 18 and 45) have reported strong desires for the businesses they interact with to use sustainable practices and are driving a sustainability revolution. According to Colite Technologies, “75% of Millennials are willing to change their buying habits to favor environmentally friendly products, and the majority of Gen Z are willing to spend 10% more on sustainable products.” 

This means that all businesses, regardless of their industry, should be considering the ROI benefits of greener products and practices. This benefit to your bottom line, in addition to supporting your community, means it’s easy to see why prioritizing eco-friendliness is key for your success.

Rentec Direct’s Commitment to Sustainability:

Here at Rentec Direct, we prioritize key values: customer service, employee support, and support for our local and broader communities. Focusing on these areas so strongly means we have been able to win recognition from these initiatives. 

“At Rentec Direct, we believe that supporting our local community goes hand in hand with minimizing the environmental impact of our business.”

-Kaycee Miller, Director of Operations at Rentec Direct

From being awarded the Most Customer-Friendly Company of the Year, to being honored as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon, to our most recent acknowledgement as one of Oregon’s 100 Best Green Workplaces, it’s clear that our dedication to these areas is not going unnoticed.

Since Earth Day is nearly here, we wanted to share some helpful tips to make your business more eco-friendly.

Eco-Friendly Business Tips Anyone Can Adopt:

Whether you have a big team in a large office, or are a sleek operation working in a home office, there are sustainability tips that you can adopt to keep your business greener and increase your savings. 

For most businesses, the practices used for their brick-and-mortar location are a large contributor to their eco-friendliness. The options below are helpful goals toward sustainability, and include information on how we at Rentec Direct implemented each goal.

  • Go Paperless Where Possible: Using software options can ensure your business does not need to store an excess of physical documents, and can instead go paperless–keeping any essential documents safely stored on the cloud.
    • Real World Example: Rentec Direct’s software makes it easy to store files securely online within the file library, which means our staff and office are largely paperless. This saves time organizing documents and reduces waste.
  • Create an Active Recycling Program: Recycling programs not only limit waste (protecting the environment and cutting down on trash pickup fees) but also demonstrate environmental responsibility. Use clearly labeled bins in high-traffic areas and educate your team on what can and can’t be recycled.
    • Real World Example: Beyond the municipal recycling pickup, our office separately hosts a bin for recycling cans and bottles. These are collected and donated to help fund education and activities for youth in the community, which makes recycling a true community-supporting effort.
  • Refillable Water Station: Offering filtered water refill stations is a nice perk for your employees, but is also a great way to reduce single-use plastics, making this addition an inexpensive win-win for everyone involved.
    • Real World Example: Rentec Direct staff have access to a water refilling station that offers hot and cold water. This makes it easy to stay hydrated and avoid single-use water bottles. Rentec Direct also offers water flavoring and tea for staff, making it a fun employee perk alongside an eco-friendly option.
  • Solar Energy and Energy-Efficient Options: Green building upgrades are key for sustainability and ROI. If you have a building where you do business, you can save money on utility bills by going green. Installing solar energy can ensure savings or the ability to keep the office running during a power outage. Energy-efficient lightbulbs and appliances, along with green landscaping, can save you money long-term.
    • Real World Example: At Rentec Direct, we installed a solar energy system, replaced all lighting with energy-efficient LEDs, and overhauled the heating and cooling system for maximum efficiency and minimal energy consumption.
  • On-Site Parking for Alternative Vehicles: Cars are not the only way to get to work, and offering on-site parking for alternative vehicles makes your team feel secure about storing and using their favorite green transportation options.
    • Real World Example: Rentec Direct has avid cyclists and team members who prefer to ride electric scooters to work. Unfortunately, bikes and scooters are far more likely to become targets of theft or vandalism; providing team members with a secure spot to store their ride of choice ensures everyone feels confident using whatever mode of transportation they prefer.

Eco-Friendly Business Options for Your Rental Property:

If you are a landlord or property manager, your sustainability goals may look a little different, and your switch to greener options may incur even more savings–along with attracting more tenants.

Learn more: Earth Day for Rentals | Eco-Friendly Ideas Roundup

Use Green Energy Options at Your Rental:

Are your appliances and bulbs ready for an upgrade? Be sure to check for energy efficiency when you are upgrading for your rental property. This will ensure lower utility bills and happier tenants. Consider a big upgrade like installing solar panels at your rental property, just be sure to do your research before taking the leap.

Learn more: Should I Consider Solar at My Rental Property?

Start an Onsite Recycling Program:

If you own or manage a multifamily rental property, you know that proper waste management services promote the safety, health, and beauty of the community.

An Onsite Recycling for Your Multifamily Property means decreased waste disposal costs for building owners and households and can help bring buildings into compliance with applicable multifamily recycling laws/regulations. A recycling program is also key to showing your eco-friendly tenants that you care about green initiatives.

Learn more: Start an Onsite Recycling Program at Your Multifamily Property

Accommodate EVs and Alternative Transportation Options:

Your employees aren’t the only ones who have transportation needs, and offering your tenants easy options for green transportation can set your rentals apart from the competition. For multifamily owners, consider offering secure storage for bikes, e-bikes, and electric scooters. Whether you have a single-family property or a multifamily residence, offering to accommodate electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) at your rental property can be a great way to attract eco-conscious tenants.

Learn more: How to Accommodate Electric Vehicles at Your Rental Property