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 Whether it means outdated equipment or unused furniture, it’s vital to get rid of all the clutter before you move into a new, smaller office space.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.

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Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024

In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024

Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.