P2 Business Basics: Equipment Changes

It is not always the most economical approach to purchase the cheapest, largest or fastest piece of equipment. Consider the full environmental costs of energy, product use and waste management when you make your equipment selection decisions. Most equipment options in this website are listed under the Business Sectors and describe equipment that has been tested by EPA, industry and pollution prevention partners. Sometimes the efficient equipment costs slightly more up front, but the payback period is within a year or two – all savings after that go into reducing your business costs.

Generally, newer equipment is more efficient in terms of energy and raw material use. Whenever possible, we have included links to tools and calculators that can help compare the impact, performance and cost of environmentally preferable.

Following are some links that might help your business select equipment used in nearly every business:

Energy Star – Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to certify energy efficient electronics (e.g., computers, office equipment, telephones, lighting, HVAC systems, water coolers, refrigerators). Purchasing energy efficient equipment will usually pay a quick return on your investment. The Energy Star website contains Savings Calculators for many types of commercial and business equipment.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) – Developed by the Green Electronics Council as a tool to help large volume purchasers evaluate, compare and select computer equipment based on environmental attribute.