The Importance of a Sustainable Office
When you’re under a deadline or stuck in meetings all day, developing a greener office may not be at the top of your priority list. But when you look at how they align with your other business activities, such as finances or team productivity, green initiatives are actually one of the best investments you can make. They can even help your employees stay healthier, happier and more productive.
Above all, companies with green initiatives get to be part of an elite group that is contributing to the sustainability of our planet. More than growing the bottom line, going green means working together to build our collective future.
Here are a few tips on building a greener workplace.
Revisit your business process
Start with your business process- from onboarding new employees to bringing in new customers. Does your company use a lot of posters and flyers to promote events? Or print out physical handouts for each customer? Or perhaps your work involves back-and-forth driving. No matter your industry, we’re all guilty of using more resources than we need. Think about all the steps that involve using excess amounts of paper, plastic, or energy. What can you do to avoid waste?
Use eco-friendly office supplies
According to the National Wildlife Federation, 17 trees and 6,953 gallons of water can be saved by recycling just one ton of paper. Imagine the difference that can be made when entire organizations decide to use recycled paper, drink from reusable water bottles, and repurpose old electronics. What supplies can your business replace with eco-friendly alternatives?
Cut back or schedule your energy consumption
Retailers and corporate offices are guilty of leaving the lights and computers turned on even when the day is over. Schedule power cycles for lights, air conditioning, and computers to avoid wasting energy. Not only will your team not notice an inconvenience, but you will greatly decrease your energy consumption.
Embed sustainability into the culture
Sustainability isn’t something that can be knocked off on your weekly agenda. It’s a mindset that must be adopted by the entire company, a routine followed every day, month, and year. Revisit your company culture. How can the literature be modified to be more environmentally conscious? How can you ensure that the company continues to strive towards its green goals?
Install energy-efficient alternatives
Incandescent bulbs are a relic from the past, yet we continue to use them in our desk lamps and hallway light fixtures. Consider replacing these bulbs with newer versions, such as CFL or LED, which use 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.
Let employees work from home
Depending on your job, you may not even need to come into the office on a daily basis. For one or two days during the week, allow your team members to work from home. Not only will it develop a greater sense of freedom and autonomy within your team, but working remote also cuts back on expenses associated with commuting, such as the cost of ridesharing and gas.
Develop a recycling program
Instead of having a generic wastebasket in the office, purchase a trash can with a separate receptacles for recycling paper and plastic. Amazon offers dozens of options for a variety of budgets. Recycling is one of the most effective and direct ways each team member can contribute towards a more sustainable workplace and environment.
Redesign your space
Not everyone has the luxury of working or living in an environmentally friendly building, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do your part. Consider purchasing sustainable office furniture, from Steelcase for example. Bring more plants to regulate the air quality of the space. Make use of large windows to take advantage of natural lighting. There are dozens of ways you can adjust your space’s design to be greener and more sustainable.
Novel Coworking spaces have always had sustainability and environmental impact in mind. We offer recycling services, automated lighting and air conditioning, and naturally lit spaces. To learn more, visit our location map to find a space near you.