While turning your office environment ‘sustainable’ might seem a daunting task, simple daily routines can turn your office from grey to green in a week. Applying environmentally friendly practices to everyday work life has been shown to have a positive effect not only on the bills but also on the employees, so why not give it a go and watch the change happen!
Definition
First, what is a sustainable office? A quick internet search can provide a lot of definitions, but the overarching idea is this: a sustainable office is a workspace that works to minimize its environmental impact through reduced waste of resources.
Now, it might seem daunting to change all your practices, but a greener office space might be closer than you think. Despite the internet insisting that sustainability only comes from major changes to building design and furniture construction, small changes are what make a massive impact.
Our Top Tips
Go paperless – while it might seem like the most obvious tip in the book, going paperless is the first step toward a greener office. In modern times, it’s an understandable assumption that your office space already operates on a mostly digital basis. Why not take the leap and make an effort to cut your already decreased paper usage to nothing.
Promoting eco-friendly transport to work – Cycling, walking, carpooling, and public transport are the most environmentally friendly ways to get to work. With cars producing 10% of global CO2 emissions, the promotion of alternate transport to work can help your office do its part in reducing CO2 admissions.
Indoor plants – Indoor plants don’t just make your office space aesthetic. Plants inside office spaces have been shown to purify the air, reduce the stress of employees, and enhance productivity. Try adding a fern or two to the corners of your office and watch the difference they make.
Go virtual – Virtual offices have become a new commodity in modern office life. Digital work reduces the CO2 impact of public transport, in-office energy costs, and employee satisfaction.
Opt for reusable – whether it’s compostable plates at an office birthday party or reusable cutlery in the kitchen, try to invest in environmentally friendly supplies. While it doesn’t make much of a difference to the office, it reduces waste, promotes reusable habits, and, let’s face it, looks prettier.
Incorporate challenges – create a monthly challenge for all employees that promotes ecological practices. For example, whoever uses the least amount of plastic cutlery gets a free lunch at the end of the month. Sustainability is encouraged and employees are incentivized.
Encourage Labelled Recycling bins – Recycling is a bit more complicated than just adding a bin to your office environment. Try adding labels to specific bins that dictate exactly what can be put in each bin (soda cans in one, paper packaging in another).
Nightly unplug – energy usage tends to be an office space’s highest expense. Create a habit of turning off all electronics before all the employees leave for the day, including computers, printers, coffee makers, and all other electronics.
Utilise the natural light – not only has it been shown that employees are happier and healthier working in natural light, but using the natural light throughout the day helps reduce your energy bills. The serviced offices in Gateshead all have big windows in all office spaces, so why not utilise that to the maximum?
