Sustainability is an increasingly important issue for consumers and companies. Self-employed people must comply with certain legal obligations aimed at reducing their impact on the environment. But they can go even further and adopt sustainable practices that, in addition to complying with laws, can also improve their public image, increase their competitiveness, contribute to a more sustainable future and even bring economic benefits.
Later in this article we will explain in detail and with examples how modernizing devices and technology can have a positive impact on the environment and the company. Because it is considered a key point for the self-employed and companies, as it usually brings improvements and benefits on an ecological, human, social and economic level.
Both complying with the law and updating technology require an investment that is not always within one’s resources, although fortunately it is possible to access financial tools such as Moneyman personal loans to cope with it.
As far as the legal obligations for self-employed people with regard to sustainability are concerned, these vary depending on the industry and the specific activity carried out.
However, there are some general obligations that apply to all self-employed people:
1. Waste and contaminated soil law:
- Waste management: Self-employed people must properly separate and dispose of the waste they generate in their activities, including packaging, paper, cardboard, glass, electrical and electronic equipment, etc.
- Avoiding waste generation: Measures should be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated, for example by using recyclable or reusable materials.
- Separate waste: Self-employed people must separate waste such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and organic substances that arise as part of their professional activity.
- Use clean points: You must dispose of waste at the cleaning points designated for each type of waste.
- Complete the waste production and disposal form: This form must be submitted annually to the regional administration.
2. Energy and water efficiency
- Carrying out energy audits: Self-employed people with annual energy consumption of more than 100,000 kWh are obliged to carry out an energy audit every four years.
- Implementation of energy saving measures: Measures must be taken to improve the company’s energy efficiency, for example by using efficient equipment, installing LED lighting systems or improving the thermal insulation of the premises.
- Reduce water consumption: It is recommended to install low consumption faucets and cisterns, repair water leaks and use efficient irrigation systems.
3. Climate change and energy transition law:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Self-employed people must contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for example by using renewable energy or offsetting their emissions.
- Adaptation to climate change: Measures must be taken to adapt to the effects of climate change, for example by installing flood or drought protection systems.
It is important to note that these are just some of the legal sustainability obligations for the self-employed in Spain. It is recommended that you contact your local or regional administration for more detailed information about the obligations that apply to your specific activity.
In addition to the legal obligations, there are many other measures that freelancers can take to contribute to sustainability. Below we will go into detail about one that often has a major impact on all areas.
Benefits of updating equipment and technology in the company
Updating equipment and technology in a business can bring a number of important benefits. Although we will focus on the environmental aspects, it is noteworthy that it usually also offers other types of benefits, such as: Such as improving working conditions, an increase in the quality of the products or services offered, an increase in operational capacity, a reduction in space needs and resource consumption and many others, depending on each activity. Among the environmental benefits we can highlight:
1. Reducing energy consumption: Newer devices and technologies are often more energy efficient than older models. This means they use less energy to perform the same tasks, which translates into reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and economic savings on energy bills.
2. Reducing resource consumption: Modern devices and technologies can also help reduce the consumption of natural resources such as water, paper and office supplies. This can be achieved through measures such as double-sided printing, the use of document management software and choosing products with a smaller environmental footprint.
3. Reducing waste generation: Upgrading equipment can help reduce the amount of waste generated in the company. This is because new devices tend to last longer and require fewer repairs. In addition, some devices can be recycled or reused at the end of their useful life.
4. Improved Air Quality: Old devices and technologies can release pollutants such as dust, gases and noise into the air. Upgrading these devices can help improve air quality in the workplace, which has a positive impact on employee health and the environment.
5. More efficiency in processes: Modern devices and technologies can help improve the efficiency of company processes. This can be achieved by automating tasks, reducing waiting times and improving internal communication.
6. Improving Company Image: The introduction of sustainable practices such as: B. upgrading equipment and technology can improve the company’s image among its customers, suppliers and society in general. This can be an important factor when it comes to attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
In short, upgrading equipment and technology in the company can be an effective tool to improve its environmental performance. It is important to remember that to achieve the best results, it is necessary to carry out a preliminary analysis of the company’s needs and select efficient and sustainable equipment and technologies.