Everyone has seen that remote working has taken off so it shouldn’t be a surprise that there is more information than ever about how to make an office space as eco-friendly as possible. We’re working from home, and we want to save money and be sustainable where we can. The thing is, even when people are going to the office, making the space as sustainable as possible should be a priority.
Businesses and commercial units take a huge chunk out of the environment. Production costs, electricity costs and maintenance costs can be huge for an office space. Being able to maintain a sustainable environment, however, is easier than you think. Reducing global emissions is a responsibility of everyone working in a business location, and with energy efficient appliances, greener infrastructures and even scrap yard access for getting rid of electronics and furnishings, sustainability can be achieved. Instead of allowing your office space to consume huge amounts of energy, here’s how you can have the most sustainable office space possible:
- Go green with your infrastructure. Everything starts at the beginning and that means that you can choose to rent spaces that offer green infrastructure. Gardens on the office roofs, LED lighting, sustainable materials used – all of these things can have a huge impact on reducing emissions. Think about the environmental impact of the infrastructure, and go forward from there knowing you’re doing the right thing.
- Add greenery where you can. While we’re on the topic of being greener, consider adding actual greenery to your spaces where you can. Plants on the desks, in the offices and around the actual office location can make a big difference to your carbon footprint. Indoor plants can help to reduce carbon dioxide and that is just a small part of being sustainable in your office environment.
- Swap out your appliances. Energy efficient dishwashers and other office appliances in the kitchens can help you to curate a better, more sustainable environment to work in. Laptops, smartphones and microwaves can all be energy efficient, too. You can ensure that people feel healthier and act more sustainably when they are in the office, as long as you are offering the right technology!
- Look to the kitchen. When you work from home, you make the space sustainable and eco-friendly so that you feel encouraged to make your lunches rather than order takeout. You can apply the same to your office, encouraging your team to eat better, which allows them to work better, too. Having an energy efficient office kitchen can also reduce the daily carbon footprint of your team as they’ll bring their lunches to work again! While we’re talking about the kitchen, try not to go with paper or plastic disposable cups and plates. Reusable, washable options will ensure that your team is clearing up after themselves. Running the dishwasher once a day is going to help to keep the eco-friendly status of your business up where it should be.
- Add recycling bins. If your office doesn’t yet have recycling bins, it’s time to get them all into the office as soon as possible. Recycling bins being visible encourages people to properly recycle. Put up signage as to what can be in the bins in the first place so that people don’t end up adding non-recyclables. If bins are replaced adequately around the office, people will use them! They have to be out in the open, though, otherwise people aren’t going to use them adequately.
- Swap your cleaning products. Most people don’t think about the cleaning products they use because they use what they know. It’s vital to use a cleaning company that uses the right materials and cleaning products. You’ll know that nontoxic cleaners are better for the environment and while you may know that it costs more money to hire sustainable cleaners, it’s worth the investment. Even waste generating products like paper towels should be avoided to avoid the impact of waste on your office space.
- Always reuse printed paper. Scrap paper is a must in an office space. People take notes, jot down thoughts and more. Even if it sounds outdated, paper is still used. Any printed paper that isn’t in use can still be used as scrap, and you can even print on the back of old sheets. You can use a company to help you to recycle, but you should consider using and reusing where you can. Every timesomethign is incorrectly printed, that’s paper that can still be used!
- Offer incentives for commuting. Are your people commuting into the office – even on a hybrid basis? You should offer incentives for your team so that they see coming into the office as a positive thing. Stipends for public transport use, discounted travel and more can encourage people into the office and reduce the amount of cars on the road. When people are using public transportation, they are less likely to drive in and thus spend less on petrol.
- Offer hybrid work. It’s so much easier to get the office into a sustainable place when you don’t have one! Using hotdesking and offering people the chance to work remotely will help massively when it comes to reducing emissions. If people aren’t coming into the office, your business’s carbon footprint reduces dramatically. Hybrid working models work well for business owners who want to focus on environmental sustainability.
- Open green challenges. Your employees need to stay motivated, and green challenges can make that happen. Challenging employees with paid incentives to take part in Veganuary for example, will incentivise people to do well in the office and reduce their own carbon footprints. Creating a sustainable office space isn’t as hard as you think, and you’ll be able to improve your business’s reputation as a sustainable place to be!
Office sustainability is something every business owner should be concerned with. When you choose to become more sustainable, you choose to do something good for your working environment and your people. It’s worth the investment of your time and money, so get started.
