Wherever we go, we leave a trace. However, very often, those traces are not the best thing for our planet. The impact humankind has on the environment is now showing, and the future is not looking good. Luckily, with small steps and joined forces we can make wiser choices with everything we do, and create a brighter future for the upcoming generation. Today’s article will show you how to do better at a place you spend a lot of your time – at work. The beauty of this is that you can make a change, whether you’re a company CEO or you run a small business. We spend about a third of our lives at work, so the footprint we leave there isn’t insignificant. Here are the best ways to make your office more sustainable and minimize the impact on the environment we’re trying to save.
Start by the way you arrive at work
Many people spend a lot of time commuting, which is why the way you arrive at the office is also important. The green commute is a way of sustainable commuting that encourages less driving and emitting fumes that hurt our planet. Instead, you can go walking or cycling and combine them with public transport. This not only lowers the number of cars on the streets, but it can lower your stress and anxiety levels. And finally – it will make you healthier! If there are more people in the office, you can recommend sharing transport, cycling together, or even some incentives for people who avoid car transport most days in a month. This is a rather small step but it can make a difference if more and more people practice it.
1. Decrease energy consumption
Offices tend to spend a lot of energy, due to the number of gadgets, lights, and other energy consumers. Even though all of these are necessary to get the work done, there are ways to increase the energy efficiency of your office – and all of them are quite simple to do:
- Replace light bulbs with LED lights that are more energy-efficient. Also, install motion-sensor lights where possible so the lights are off when no one is in the room.
- Improve natural light – the light we get from the sun is incredibly important for our vitamin D levels, but also can affect sleep patterns, productivity, and stress levels. Make sure nothing is blocking the windows and consider painting the walls in a color that reflects light a bit better.
- Optimize power-saving features of all the gadgets in the office as well as brightness levels on monitors;
- Replace desktop computers with modern, more energy-efficient versions of laptops.
2. Go for reusable utensils and cups
The amount of plastic an office uses for food and drink is often overlooked. However, that number can be pretty significant when it comes to annual calculations. Many offices use disposable cutlery sets, water, and coffee cups – each employee throws away at least one set of these. One of the ways to make your office more sustainable is to replace plastic, one-use items people use for lunch, and to make drinks with a more eco-aware solution. Every employee should have their own reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, as well as cutlery. Personalized items like that are a perfect holiday gift, so think about it the next time you go Christmas shopping.
Minimize the waste in your office by introducing eco-friendly or reusable cups, utensils, and bottles.
1. Recycle office waste
You shouldn’t forget about your recycling habits at home once you leave for work. Try to implement them in your office and make them more sustainable. If you’re an employer, you can invest in recycling bins – just be sure that they are all around the building, at visible places where all the employees can easily notice and use them. This will inspire them to recycle their waste and therefore minimize your office’s impact.
2. Pay attention to your food
Aside from the tools you use to eat it, the way you prepare and eat food can make a difference to a sustainable lifestyle. It’s best you prepare food at home, and use reusable food containers. However, if you order food at work, consult with your co-workers for group orders. This is a way to save money and energy and make sure everyone participates. Also, try to reduce waste, too – don’t throw away any leftovers, but save them for your next meal.
3. Choose green partners
What happens in the office is one thing, but you can make your work more sustainable by paying attention to what happens outside the office. Picking partners who care about the same principles can make a much bigger step towards the mutual goal. Moving your office or relocating office furniture to storage is a task you should rely on skilled people for – the ones who care about the environment, too. Green moving teams will use vehicles that run on biofuel and offer reusable containers and eco-friendly packing materials. Small steps for a safer and healthier environment!
4. Make your office paper-free
Minimizing paper use is one of the important ways to make your office more sustainable. There are many methods you can use to go paperless in your office. First, sort out the current documentation in your office and declutter. Recycle the papers you no longer need, and scan the ones you need to save. Invest in cloud storage that can safely hold your important documentation and minimize paper use in your office. Furthermore, encourage paperless meetings – instead of taking notes on paper, everyone can use their laptops, tablets, or phones. Also, receiving invoices, e-statements, and promotions can also happen via email, so suggest that to your partners, vendors, and others. Going digital can reduce a lot of office paper use, so let’s use technology in the best way possible.
5. Be an inspiration
Don’t expect everyone to accept new ‘rules’ around the office. Some people are simply not aware of the situation or they simply overlook the bad effect we can have on the environment. This shouldn’t discourage you, though. You can be an example to others, and changes will happen over time. Start with these little steps to making your office more sustainable, and wait for the others to follow.
