Canadian small businesses are not spending a lot to “green” operations, according to a survey by RBC.
About 59% of businesses surveyed said they spent less than $500 on green initiatives in the past two years. But many focused on initiatives that ultimately cut costs or reduce waste.
Roughly 82% of B.C. small businesses that responded to the survey, for example, focus on recycling (82%) and reducing their energy use (60%).
Small business owners in Atlantic Canada are among the most likely to incorporate environmental standards for the goods and services purchased by the company (38%). Business owners in Quebec are the most likely to reduce or plan to reduce water use or water pollution created by their business (36%).
Mike Michell, RBC’s national director of small business, said: “Small business owners may think they have to spend a lot of money to implement these strategies, but that’s not the case.”
The survey found nearly half (46%) of small businesses in Canada have implemented a green plan or environmental policies in their business with a further 6% considering it.