5 Solutions for a Greener Office Environment
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.
