In VisionMonday.com’s recent Quick Poll we asked: How “green” is your practice? Despite widespread eco-awareness these days, respondents were pretty much split in thirds. Only 31 percent of you considered your practice very green and viewed sustainability as a way of life. Way to go green ECPs!

The same amount thought their practice is moderately green—using paperless billing and separating recyclables—but most of you (38 percent) owned up to being only somewhat green. You don’t run the taps for fun, but sustainability is not top-of-mind.

In fact, for some of you the only green that matters is the kind that pays the bills—and that’s okay. As long as you recognize the opportunities available to your business through familiarizing yourself and your staff with green practices and easing them into your routine.

According to GREENandSave.com, the top way to save in your office is paper reduction. Streamlining paper costs can payoff in as few as three months, and can save you more than $1,200 per year—that’s a 312 percent ROI. Consider paperless billing and bill-paying, and recycling programs.

Still not worth it? Installing compact fluorescent bulbs throughout your office will take an investment of about $60, and return an annual savings of $80. Learn about more opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle your way to savings here.

And be sure to cast your vote in VisionMonday.com’s latest Quick Poll, which asks: How do you keep up-to-date with optical business trends?