8 Easy Steps to Designing a Sustainable Office

Julie Starr • Jun 13, 2022

Designing an eco-friendly office is not as difficult as it seems. It just takes a little planning and effort. Sometimes, you don’t have to mess too much with the infrastructure of the building itself, instead, you just need to make some tweaks to the interiors, the power, and the plumbing. There are guaranteed ways that you create that sustainable office, here are eight that you may want to consider.

1. Opt for tinting your windows

Since a lot of office spaces are rented out, or even when purchasing a certain floor, there may be some limitations, you’ll need to first figure out what you can and can’t do. Window tinting can be a great option that is very sustainable. Fewer UV rays get into the space, plus, it helps prevent sun bleaching for the walls, floor, and furniture.

2. Make sure that the furniture you use is made from eco-friendly materials

It is important to ensure that the furniture you buy is made from eco-friendly materials. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of your purchase. The most popular types of eco-friendly furniture are bamboo, wood, and leather. But why not look into Mesh Office Chair , as this is built to last for years!

3. Use LED lighting for your computer screens and desk lamps

LED lighting is great for your computer screen and desk lamps because of its energy efficiency and low heat output. This makes LED lighting perfect for any room in the house or office. Even if you’re renting the office space, this is usually a renter-friendly option that’s possible to try.

4. Select plants that are best suited for your office space

While it’s proven that plants are a great way to purify the air and make spaces beautiful, they can do so much more. While this is an eco-friendly decorative option, just keep in mind that plant waste is a thing. So, you’re going to need to determine what will work best in your office space.

There are many types of plants that can be used in office spaces. However, there are some that are more suitable for certain types of offices. Some plants require little maintenance and won’t get in your way as they grow. Others need more attention and care than others, but they’ll still look great and add a lot to the ambiance of the office space.

5. Use natural cleaning products for your office space

Some office spaces that are rented (or purchased) will offer janitor services, so this may not be something entirely in your control. However, if it is, why not get them to use natural cleaning products? These are healthier, less harsh, and eco-friendly.

6. Start using solar energy for your office space

Solar energy is becoming more and more popular in the world today. This is because it is a renewable source of energy that can be used to power different types of industries. There are many ways to start using solar energy in your office space. You can use solar panels on your roof, choose a power generator that uses solar energy, or even set up a small system to power your office lights.

Start using solar energy for your office space by doing the following:

-Check if you have any roof space available for a solar panel installation

-Check out the different types of panels available and see which one would work best for your needs

-Choose an appropriate power generator according to the size and number of people in your office

Of course, if you’re renting the office space, this may not be something that you can sadly do.

7. Look into ways you can create an efficient recycling system for the office

This is fairly simple, just create a recycling system for your office space. This can be as simple as having a bin for reusing paper or separating the trash into categories. If you have unused space you might want to hire Equipment For Land Grading so you can clear an area for recycling on-site.

8. Consider low-flow toilets and low-flow sinks for the office bathrooms

Low-flow toilets and sinks are a great way to save water and energy. Low-flow toilets are often installed in new office buildings, but they don’t always have enough water for everyone to use them. Low-flow sinks can be used as a substitute for these toilets and can be installed in any bathroom. The best part about low-flow toilets is that they are more affordable than high-efficiency ones, so they are a great option for small businesses and startups.

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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.