Some say going green is a fad, but saving money is always in style.

By taking some simple steps, you can save your small business a big chunk of change while also making a positive impact on the environment.

Many people have said that starting to go green is as easy as swapping out a light-bulb. It's true. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and can last up to 10 times longer than a regular light bulb. That's a savings of about $30 over each bulb's lifetime, according to the Energy Star Web site.

If your space uses fluorescent tube lamps, there are energy-efficient models available as well -- although they may require some upgrades to fixtures.

A benefit of the CFL bulbs is that they are recyclable. A great resource for finding local recyclers for all kinds of materials is Earth911.com. To find a recycler in your area, you can visit the Web site, enter your zip code, type in the item you need to recycle and the site will give you local listings.

When upgrading your equipment, look into energy-efficient models that will save big on utility bills, like printers with hibernate modes.

If you're looking to update your computer systems, consider that laptop computers use 10 percent less energy than desktops. For most purposes, these portable devices can keep up with their stationary peers, both in memory and performance. Additionally, many manufacturers -- like Toshiba, Dell, and Apple -- have voluntarily begun building computers with smaller amounts of lead, mercury, and other dangerous materials while also improving battery life. Some are even made with recycled or recyclable materials.

Recycling is another easy way to make your business more environmentally friendly. It can be as simple as setting up a bin for recyclable cans and bottles near a vending machine or just making a space available for employees to deposit recyclable items they bring in from home. Aluminum cans can be sold back to recyclers, and can sometimes turn a pretty profit depending on how many cans you have and what the buy-back price is in your area.

Eliminating convenience waste is another way to save. Disposable cups and water bottles are neither environmentally friendly nor a professional necessity, and reusable mugs offer a great opportunity for advertising. Custom ceramic mugs can cost anywhere from 79 cents to about $2 a piece, but they last through multiple uses and will carry your brand. Also, you can use them as a great promotional gift for clients or as a loyalty reward to staff.

Possibly one of the largest areas for improvement in the business world is in all things regarding paper. Between mass mailings and memos, the sheets soon become mountains. Recycling office paper is a great move, but there are also other ways to maximize your resources.

First, see where you can eliminate unnecessary printing. Xerox conducted a study that found that 45 percent of paper printed in offices is tossed by the end of the day. By eliminating printouts that have a short lifespan, you can reduce your materials expenses by ordering fewer reams of paper and cartridges of ink.

Granted, a "paperless office" isn't realistic, but technology makes it easy to transfer information via screen rather than page. Ask if meeting notes can be e-mailed instead of printed, use a PowerPoint presentation so everyone can follow along on a projector screen instead of on individual copies, or offer your clients the ability to get an electronic newsletter or invoice instead of a mailing -- which will also save you postage.

For the things you must print, consider using scrap paper for documents that are temporary, can stay in the office and are not for clients or filing. A piece of paper that has been printed on one side still has another face that can be filled and used before it is recycled.