Owning a self-storage facility can boost your entrepreneurial dreams, but it can also be taxing on the environment. As with any business, you have to manage waste efficiently to reduce your carbon footprint. Because my company is dedicated to promoting eco-friendly practices, we’ve come up with some helpful ways to help self-storage operators reduce waste. Not only will these tips help you protect the environment, they could make your business more attractive to potential customers.
1. Switch to Solar
Solar panels can be a game-changer for self-storage businesses. It may be intimidating to make the investment, but conserving energy directly translates into savings, which means you could quickly earn back your initial costs. The typical grid-style layout of self-storage buildings lends itself to solar, which will absorb free and limitless energy from the sun without disrupting design or aesthetic.
This renewable energy source can power up your entire business—rain or shine. You may even qualify for tax breaks and rebates by going green. Head over to energy.gov to see if you qualify.
2. Monitor Your Energy Use
If you’re not ready to make the jump to solar, consider other energy-saving technology, like app-controlled thermostats or motion-sensor lights. Using smart thermostats can be savvy, especially for climate-controlled units. These app-enabled devices allow you to monitor air-conditioning and heat levels in every space and control it right from a tablet or smartphone. Imagine being able to oversee the temperature of every unit, as well as your office, right from your phone. You can!
Motion-sensor lights are an inexpensive way to reduce energy use. Since customers typically check their units only a few times per month, it doesn’t make sense to have lights shining all night long throughout the year. Instead, install lights that only activate when someone approaches. This can also be a smart security move, since motion-sensor lights can alert you to intruders after hours.
3. Encourage the Community
Storage facilities often become traps for unwanted goods and waste, so consider connecting to your community and promoting green practices. Try hosting a document-shredding day or launching a recycling initiative. These types of events allow you to get to know people in your neighborhood, and they convey a compassionate and eco-friendly brand identity to the public.
On site, provide appropriate trash and recycling containers to cut back on litter and abandoned goods. Display information for local donation centers, or try to arrange weekly pickups from Salvation Army or Goodwill. The easier you can make it for tenants to manage their unwanted items, the easier it will be to keep your business clean and tidy.
There are many ways to reduce waste, and it doesn’t matter if you start big or small. Cutting back is good for both the environment and your wallet!
Dani Nicole is a professional and creative writer with a habit of buying “too many” books and drinking “too much” coffee. She writes regularly for Modernize with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence. For more information, visit www.modernize.com.