5 Solutions for a Greener Office Environment

Julie Starr • August 31, 2020



All businesses, companies, and organizations should strive to find eco-friendly solutions to traditional operations. Otherwise, they risk falling behind the competition; they will see damage to their reputation , which can hinder growth and further success. For many businesses set in their ways, it can be challenging to make adjustments, considering it to be too much hassle to start over again. However, the reality is that it is never too late to work towards a greener office environment. 

No Wasted Space 

When you first research how to find office space , you don’t java the best idea of what to look for. You know how many employees you have, but what about desks, filing cabinets, furniture, and even ping pong tables to blow off steam.  This could mean you rent an office that’s too big. This will make the office look bare, but it also means you have space that you are not using, which is a waste. However, you also don’t want an area that is too cramped, as this can feel claustrophobic and hinder productivity.  Because of this, it’s always better to have too much space, so if you find pickets of the office which need something , bring some plants to sit in the corners, as this will stop the office from looking too empty while also improving air quality. 

Cut Down Energy Use 

Every office environment needs to use energy. There is no real way to overcome it. You need to consume energy for your lights, devices, appliances, and anything else essential for running the office. However, you never need to use as much energy as you do currently. One tactic that many green businesses have embraced is introducing laptops rather than desktop PCs. As these can run on batteries, you can unplug them for most of the day and then only plug them in when they require charging, which only takes an hour or two.  You can also remind people to switch off lights in rooms they are not using, or if your staff always seem to forget, timed lights with smart switches should solve the problem.

Cultivate an Eco-Friendly Culture

While many people want to do their part for the environment, you can’t expect everybody to jump on board immediately. This isn’t because they don’t want to, although some might be reluctant, but rather because it can be difficult to change old habits.  You can encourage and cultivate an eco-friendly culture within the office by offering rewards. Your staff can perform sustainable tasks like cycling to work where possible, or you can provide the opportunity for flexible working hours. By doing so, people will be more comfortable with the eco-friendly approach. You have to practice what you preach as well, though, so lead by example, and offer advice without coming across as overzealous. 

Evaluate Supplies 

For decades, offices have operated with pens, paper, filing cabinets, staples, and many other things that clutter up the office and are often thrown in the trash when finished. However, modern technology means you can begin to shift away from this.  You already have computers, while some employees might use tablets to note down ideas or plan projects. If you combine the two, you can look forward to a more eco-friendly and sustainable office environment.  Some companies go entirely digital. However, this is not possible for every industry. The least you can do is look for stationery and supplies that are manufactured through recycled materials. While other supplies might be cheaper, using a renewable resource will put your business in a better position. 

Embrace Digital  Some businesses will go entirely digital, though, even in areas that they never thought were possible. Cloud storage is the most obvious method and is a fantastic way to eliminate paper waste and redundant office space. Simultaneously, you can also look at digital meetings, remote working possibilities, and automated energy usage that you control entirely from one device. 

Technology is designed to make our lives easier, so your business may as well embrace it as much as they can. Considering the speed at which digital trends become the norm, you are always better off being ahead of the curve to save you playing catch-up later.

Simple Steps To Make Your Office Space More Eco-Friendly

By Julie Starr • 07 Oct, 2024
Becoming more eco-friendly and running a greener business is a responsibility that business owners really need to think more about. The good news is that if you spend a lot of time in your office, there are plenty of ways to make it more eco-friendly without having to overhaul everything and start again (which isn’t just disruptive, but expensive too). So, if you’re ready to get started, here are some simple steps to make your office space more eco-friendly; read on to find out more. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting This idea is a simple one that you can do no matter what else might be on your list of tasks - it’s quick, easy, and really makes a difference; change your light bulbs to something more energy efficient. If you’re still using traditional fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LED which doesn’t just last longer, but also uses a lot less energy. They’re easy to install and they’ll help you cut down on your office’s energy usage almost instantly. If possible, you should make the most of natural light too, so think about rearranging your workspace to let in more sunlight, which saves energy and can boost your mood - it’s a win-win that you can do right away. Prioritize Air Quality The air you breathe matters, and keeping it clean can do wonders for your health and the planet. One way to improve air quality is by adding plants to your workspace because plants are natural air purifiers, and as a bonus, they’ll make your office feel more inviting. Another great idea is to make sure your office’s HVAC system is working efficiently, and having air duct cleaning done by professionals is an easy step you can take to improve air quality and ensure your heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy. Clean air ducts mean cleaner air, less strain on your system, and even lower energy bills, so it’s a simple but really effective thing to do. Switch To Reusable Products If your office is still stocking up on single-use plastic items, it’s time for a change - swap your disposable cups, utensils, and plates for reusable ones and you’ll be surprised at how much waste to eliminate. And what about encouraging people to bring their own mugs and water bottles to work? Give them tea, coffee, and water to refill everything with, and you’ll be doing your bit to help the planet and have less waste to deal with as well. And don’t stop with these things either - there are loads of reusable products that could be useful in your office. You could have refillable pens and ink cartridges for your printer, for example. Go Paperless Speaking of your printer, is that an office machine you actually need? If you were to go digital and aim for a paperless office , you might be able to do away with the printer, which means less money spent on ink and paper, and less energy used altogether. You should be able to set up a system where documents can be shared online and stored electronically, and there are plenty of tools around to help you do exactly that (and much more). If you don’t need to print something and you don’t need a physical copy of a document, don’t make one - just use the digital version instead and you’ll be a lot more eco-friendly.

3 Most Unsustainable Industries & What They're Doing To Be More Eco-Conscious

By Julie Starr • 04 Oct, 2024
Sustainability often gets pushed on the common person. Joe Public is told to be more sustainable with their daily habits as the government pushes for more eco-friendly measures. This is all well and good - but does it really matter when 71% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies around the world? Small business owners are desperate to prove their sustainability, but what are bigger companies in some of the most polluting industries doing to help? We’ve taken three of the least sustainable sectors on the planet and explored the unique ways they’re trying to cut down on emissions and be more eco-friendly. Mining Any industry revolving around drilling underground will not be very environmentally friendly! Mining causes a lot of pollution, but its unsustainability often comes from the way it damages local environments and ecosystems. So, what is this industry doing to change things? It’s largely focusing on more responsible mining practices to reduce waste and mitigate the impact on local environments. This is done through mining dust suppression systems to prevent airborne pollution, reforesting mining sites when they’re no longer in use, and recycling as many materials as possible. Is it perfect? No, but it’s a step in the right direction. Fossil Fuels Shock horror; the fossil fuels industry is the most damaging to our environment. Finding ways to change the scope of this sector is the key to ensuring a better future for all. Some companies in this industry are trying to do this through carbon capture and storage. This is a technique where CO2 emissions are captured before they’re released into the atmosphere and stored underground. Realistically, the main thing fossil fuel companies should be doing is pushing for more renewable energy sources. Many are doing this - though reports suggest they’re not investing as much as they should. If fossil fuel companies dumped more money into developing biofuels and other renewable sources, pollution from this industry would drop dramatically. Fashion The most unbelievable stat to take from this post is that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of our global carbon footprint . That’s remarkable (and worrying), considering how most of us don’t view it as a “dangerous” industry. Fast fashion is the main problem; poorly-made goods are pumped out at a rapid rate, and consumers constantly buy new things. Fashion companies are trying their best to resolve this. Most big brands will now have sustainable lines using recyclable materials. Consumers also hold the key to solving this problem: stop buying new clothes all the time and wear yours for longer. Or buy pre-owned clothes to slow down the fashion production line. Companies can still do more as well: they are trying to adopt more eco-friendly production processes that use less water and energy. The moral of this post is that everyone can do their bit to fight for a more sustainable future. Keep this in mind for your small business . It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there will always be ways to promote eco-friendly practices.
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