6 Tips For More Sustainable Office Changes

Julie Starr • September 12, 2021



Many people are familiar with the term “green office,” but not everyone knows what it means. Green offices are becoming more popular, as many companies take steps to be environmentally conscious and reduce their carbon footprint. There are plenty of changes that can be made in an office environment to make it more sustainable.

Do You Really Need It Printed?
Don’t print paper when you don’t have to. Don’t actually need something printed? Ask yourself if it’s even necessary at all. You can save a lot of paper and money by using electronic documents and digital files instead of printing everything out. If you must print, make sure that your printer is set for double-sided prints whenever possible. This will cut down on the amount of ink or toner needed, saving both time and resources in office supplies too.

Declutter 

Get rid of old stuff that isn’t being used anymore before moving into a new office space. A simple way to reduce waste in the office is by getting rid of anything not currently being used within the company. Whether it means outdated equipment or unused furniture, it’s vital to get rid of all the clutter before you move into a new, smaller office space. This will reduce your overall waste output and make sure that everything is in good working condition for when you actually need it. Any old equipment or furniture, sell it and put the money back into your business.

Carpooling 

Encourage employees to carpool or use public transportation whenever possible. Suppose every employee took part in carpools and used public transit instead of driving by themselves. In that case, they could cut down on carbon emissions from their own personal vehicles and decrease traffic congestion around the area. It’ll be a win-win situation.

Eco-friendly Cleaning Supplies

Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies throughout your whole business, including housekeeping services. You should have green products readily available in work areas and supply them with enough materials so that office cleaning services can use them as well. This will help ensure that you’re not generating any toxic fumes and chemicals throughout the office space. 

Recycle Bins

Make recycling bins easily accessible and encourage employees to recycle items like paper, plastic bags, old clothing, or food scraps. You might think your company is small enough where it won’t produce much waste. However, chances are that a lot of recyclable materials are still going into landfills instead of being recycled properly. It doesn’t take long before even a small amount turns into tons of garbage that need to be stored somewhere for years on end if necessary. The best thing about recycling in an eco-friendly workplace is how easy it is to accomplish. Just place some clearly marked containers near the area where people tend to congregate, and you’re all set.

Paper Towels 

Encourage employees to use fewer paper towels in the restroom. It seems like a good idea at first glance. Why not just provide people with more paper towels? However, this actually doesn’t do much for the environment because it means that they’ll be using up more of them instead of reusing one towel over and over again. This is definitely something where small changes can make a big difference.

Every office should implement some changes that make it a little greener each day. Even if it’s as small as replacing your regular air filters with air filter media material . This will help the environment and your bottom line because sustainable companies tend to perform better financially than those who don’t focus on environmental issues. Implementing these green practices can also improve morale among employees, which makes everyone happier about going to work each day.

Sustainability in Ecommerce: 3 Ways to Make Progress Where It Matters

By Julie Starr • May 21, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it's essential. That’s true across every industry, and ecommerce is no exception. But let’s be honest: building a more sustainable ecommerce business isn’t always straightforward. From packaging to supply chains to last-mile delivery, the challenges are real—and often feel like they’re outside your control. But here’s the good news: sustainable ecommerce is absolutely possible. And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Small, strategic shifts can make a meaningful difference—not just for the planet, but for your customers and your brand’s longevity. Here are three actionable ways you can move the needle toward a more environmentally responsible ecommerce business. Choose Sustainable Packaging That Works for People and Planet Packaging is often one of the most visible and wasteful—aspects of ecommerce. From oversized boxes to plastic fillers, the impact adds up fast. But it doesn’t have to. Thoughtful, sustainable packaging design can dramatically reduce your environmental footprint. Start by right-sizing your shipments to reduce excess material and emissions. Opt for recycled, recyclable, or compostable materials that align with circular economy principles. Better yet, one option is to design custom boxes with sustainable materials, for example. These custom packaging solutions eliminate unnecessary layers while enhancing your brand’s presentation. These aren’t just more sustainable choices, they’re smarter ones. Today’s customers care about where materials come from, and where they end up. Your packaging can reflect your commitment to both. Partner with Purpose: Choose Sustainable Suppliers Your supply chain is an extension of your brand and one of the most powerful levers you have to reduce your environmental impact. You could end up using more than a few suppliers when you’re running an ecommerce company . It’s always worth making sure these are as sustainable as possible . While you may not control every aspect of your suppliers’ operations, you do control who you choose to work with. Prioritize suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability. Look for transparency in sourcing, third-party certifications, and a clear track record of environmental and ethical practices. Ask the right questions: Are their materials responsibly sourced? Do they minimize waste and emissions? How do they treat their workforce? Choosing partners who align with your values not only improves the sustainability of your products—it strengthens your brand’s integrity and resilience. When your supply chain reflects your mission, it creates trust and long-term value across your business. Lead with Impact: Promote Environmental Awareness Sustainability doesn’t stop at your supply chain. As an ecommerce business, you have a unique platform to elevate environmental causes and inspire meaningful change within and beyond your operations. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of highlighting and supporting various sustainable initiatives and causes around the world. One powerful way to do this is by supporting organizations and initiatives that align with your values. Whether it’s donating a portion of your profits, partnering with mission-driven nonprofits, or amplifying important causes across your website and social channels, your advocacy matters. By shining a light on solutions and inviting your customers to participate, you strengthen your brand’s purpose and build a community rooted in shared responsibility. This isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business. Sustainable ecommerce is entirely possible. With the right mindset and a few strategic shifts, your business can lead with integrity, reduce its footprint, and become part of a much-needed transformation in the digital economy.

Cutting Cost Without Cutting Corners

By Julie Starr • May 20, 2025
No one likes having to tighten their belts, especially when it comes to running a business or managing a big project, but sometimes cutting costs isn’t just a good idea - it’s actually the only way to keep things moving. The tricky part, of course, is doing it without sacrificing quality or ending up with a long list of regrets you’ll be paying for (literally in many cases) later. The thing to remember is that cost-cutting doesn’t have to mean cutting corners, and if you can be a bit creative and rethink how you usually do things, you can reduce your spending and still get great results. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. Not only does this support your project, but it can support sustainable business initiatives as well. You Don’t Have To Buy Everything One of the most common ways money disappears in business is buying things you don’t need to buy. If you’re in the trade or construction field, you already know how expensive equipment can be, especially when it’s only needed on occasion, which is why it’s crucial to get out of the idea of having to buy everything - there are other ways. Rather than buying every tool, machine, or device upfront, it’s worth thinking about short-term options instead, and that way you don’t have to commit thousands to something you’ll only use once or twice a year. Instead, renting can help bridge the gap between affordability and getting good results, and you’ll still have access to the tools you need. For example, if you’ve got a job coming up that needs specific welding gear but you don’t use it regularly, you’re better off exploring welding equipment rental rather than buying it. You’ll get high-quality, up-to-date equipment, but you avoid the ongoing expense of maintenance, storage, or even depreciation. And when the job is complete, it just goes back with no wasted budget or clutter. Aim For Better Planning Another area where money leaks is in poor planning . The fact is that scheduling and communication are basically very often the difference between staying under budget and going over budget. Over-ordering materials, miscommunication between suppliers, last-minute bookings, and so on all has an impact and the ability to add up and cost significantly more. Spending a bit more upfront in the planning process can save considerable amount of funds later, which is why it’s worth planning projects in phases, double-checking inventory before you place any new orders, and staying as realistic as possible about delivery times. In doing so, you’re not just avoiding waste, you’re keeping the entire project on track, and that’s going to give you much better results and success in the future. Use Tech In Useful Ways We’ve all seen the impressive new software packages with prices to match, but tech doesn’t have to be expensive to work well, and in fact, using a few smart digital tools can save hours of time and lots of paperwork, especially if you’re managing a team or you’ve got multiple projects to juggle all at once. Free or low-cost apps for time tracking, job scheduling, or being able to share communication can help you avoid missed communications and reduce admin hours. And of course, spreadsheets can still work if you like using them, but adding a digital tool to the mix could be just what you need to reduce confusion, mistakes, and having to repeat work. Invest Where It Counts Saving money doesn’t mean always choosing the least expensive option or not buying something when you really do need it. Sometimes, saving money just means choosing the best value item over time, and factoring in sustainable concepts taht support the project and business case. Be mindful and invest in the right things. You’ll want to fund equipment and purchases that support safety and the items that your team use every day that support the business. Cutting corners on essentials might save you money at the start, but it usually just creates more problems later on, and it’s just not worth the risk. Invest wisely.