How To Go Green As A Gas Station Owner

Julie Starr • July 8, 2024

As environmental concerns become increasingly prominent, businesses across all sectors are seeking ways to reduce their ecological footprint. Gas station owners, traditionally seen as contributors to pollution, have a unique opportunity to lead the charge toward sustainability. Implementing green practices not only benefits the environment but can also attract a growing demographic of eco-conscious consumers. 


Here are several strategies for gas station owners to go green.


Energy-Efficient Lighting

Switching to energy-efficient lighting, such as LED lights, is a straightforward yet impactful change. LEDs consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and have a longer lifespan, reducing both energy costs and waste. Gas stations, which operate around the clock, can see substantial savings and environmental benefits from this upgrade.


Solar Power Integration

Installing solar panels is a more substantial investment, but it pays off in the long run. Solar power can provide a significant portion of the energy needed to run a gas station, from lighting to powering convenience store equipment. This not only reduces dependence on non-renewable energy sources but can also result in significant cost savings and potential tax benefits.


Fuel Alternatives

Offering alternative fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, or even electric vehicle (EV) charging stations can attract eco-conscious drivers. While the initial setup cost for EV charging stations can be high, the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road makes this a forward-thinking investment. Providing alternative fuel options demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and can set a gas station apart from competitors.


Recycling Programs

Implementing a comprehensive recycling program is another effective way to go green. This includes setting up recycling bins for customers and ensuring that all recyclable materials from the convenience store, such as paper, plastic, and aluminum, are properly disposed of. Partnering with local recycling services can streamline this process and ensure that materials are processed correctly.


Water Conservation

Gas stations use a significant amount of water, especially those with car wash services. Implementing water-saving technologies, such as high-efficiency nozzles and reclaim systems that recycle water, can drastically reduce water usage. Additionally, using eco-friendly cleaning products can minimize the impact on local water sources.


Green Building Materials

For those considering renovations or new constructions to accommodate liquid bulk tankers, using green building materials can make a substantial difference. Materials such as recycled steel, bamboo, and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and sealants contribute to a healthier environment and can improve indoor air quality for employees and customers.


Education and Engagement

Educating employees and customers about the green initiatives being implemented is crucial. Training staff on energy-saving practices and proper recycling procedures ensures that these measures are effectively carried out. Informative signage and promotions can engage customers, encouraging them to participate in recycling programs and use alternative fuels.


Efficient HVAC Systems

Upgrading to energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can significantly reduce energy consumption. Regular maintenance of these systems ensures they operate at peak efficiency, further conserving energy and reducing costs.


There You Go

Going green as a gas station owner is not just about implementing a few changes; it’s about adopting a holistic approach to sustainability. By making strategic investments in energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and sustainable practices, gas stations can significantly reduce their environmental impact. These efforts not only contribute to a healthier planet but also appeal to a growing base of environmentally conscious consumers, ultimately driving business success.

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.