Nowadays, most consumers are environmentally conscious; in-fact recent reports have shown the over one-third of consumers will pay 25% more for sustainable products. What makes these trends in consumer behavior even more impressive is the demand Gen Z is showing for eco-friendly brands.

Studies on Gen Z consumers show a willingness to spend up to 50% more with environmentally conscious companies. Here are a couple of key ways to reduce your environmental impact and promote your eco-consciousness.

Go Paperless or Switch to Post-Consumer Waste

Utilizing cloud networks and scanning all necessary documents into your cloud systems reduces the amount of paper waste that is generated. It’s difficult going the paperless route, but just starting the process could cut the cost of copy paper in half over the course of a year. If you have to use paper though, you do have green options.

If you need to buy copy paper, look for the post-consumer waste (PCW) branding on paper packaging. Only PCW paper is made entirely from recycled content, and PCW paper only uses 55% of the energy needed in traditional paper production.

Compact-Fluorescent or LED Lights

Compact-Fluorescent and LED lights may take a little time to adjust to, but they are well worth it in the end. They offer a staggering difference in energy efficiency. In comparison to incandescent lights, LED and Compact-Fluorescent lights use less than a quarter of the energy. You can potentially save up to $200 per bulb over time.

Even simple steps like these can make a huge impact. If you’re an AFEUSA member, our discussion boards are a great place to see how your fellow entrepreneurs are going green.