The Office Carbon Footprint And What Makes It So Dangerous For The Environment

Julie Starr • November 10, 2020



Building a business sustainably all comes from your internal hub. Because if your office doesn’t follow the rules of running a green business, none of your operations will either! Getting to work within an
eco-friendly building is all well and good, but if you still pack it out with energy-guzzling equipment and employees who have no eco-conscious company policy to follow, your carbon footprint will be just as high as before. 

So it’s time to work on your office carbon footprint. Both you and your employees can work in tandem here, as long as you know what makes what goes on in your office so dangerous for the environment around you. 

The Amount of Waste

It’s estimated that businesses pour over 40 million tons of commercial and industrial waste into the environment per year, and even with the majority being recyclable, and a good proportion being compostable, this is still a number that needs cutting down. In an office environment, the amount of paper, plastic and tech waste alone could be ratcheting your costs margin up by tenfold. 

Thankfully, there are some easy fixes here. Having reusable cups and other utensils in the break room is a great way to reduce and save here. Similarly, making use of tap water, rather than bottled water, is another great way to reduce your office’s impact on the environment. Try to invest in compostable, or recycled, papers and napkins too. 

Office Equipment Energy Consumption 

The amount of energy that gets used up by the equipment in your office is far more than you realize. The more photocopiers and printers and computers you have in the office, and indeed, in any physical location you run (such as a store), the heavier your carbon footprint is going to look at the end of the year. 

It can be hard to cut down on the things you use in the office, but the best thing to do is to ensure your equipment is energy certified . Investing in energy-efficient equipment not only cuts down on your bill each month, but it ensures you’re not contributing to climate change within the corporate world. Plus, you could integrate more virtual systems into your company too, such as using a virtual POS terminal , to ensure you’re not having to spend any more on physical items, as well as keep as many emissions as possible out of the air. 

The Commute Time

And then we come to the commute time. Of course, taking the bus or train to work is much better for the environment than getting in a car, but with business meetings requiring a plane trip for travel, the environmental cost adds up . It’s why virtual meetings are becoming more and more popular, as well as the idea of remote working, which is much easier to implement than most people realize. 

Your office has a carbon footprint, and it’s time to do something about it. Cut down on the danger to the environment.

By Julie Starr April 22, 2025
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Third-party logistics providers and supply chain consultants can help in auditing your supply chain to uncover inefficiencies, and recommend improvements aligned with eco-conscious goals. By outsourcing this function, you gain access to experts who help embed sustainability into procurement practices—using local materials, reducing waste, and improving freight efficiency. Many providers can also connect you with suppliers that share your environmental standards, enabling a cohesive approach to sustainable sourcing. These supply chain enhancements not only reduce emissions and waste—they also reinforce your brand’s environmental credibility across the stakeholder ecosystem. Eco-Friendly IT and Cloud Computing Running a tech-intensive business? Traditional on-site data centers are energy-intensive. Outsourcing IT infrastructure to green cloud providers can dramatically lower your environmental impact. Cloud vendors who use renewable energy for data storage and server operations offer an efficient alternative to on-premise solutions. They also reduce hardware waste and improve system performance—making them both eco-friendly and future-ready. For organizations prioritizing digital sustainability, this move can be a cornerstone of your environmental strategy—and a strong signal of innovation to your stakeholders. Sustainable Junk Removal Services Sustainable operations include responsible waste management. Outsourcing junk removal to companies that prioritize recycling and charitable donations keeps unnecessary items out of landfills and extends the life cycle of materials. These services allow businesses and individuals to declutter responsibly, supporting both environmental and community well-being. It’s a simple but visible action that can reinforce your sustainability message both internally and externally. Carbon Offsetting Services Not all emissions can be eliminated—but many can be offset. Specialized outsourcing firms help companies calculate, track, and neutralize their carbon emissions through strategic reforestation projects , renewable energy, or community resilience projects. These providers simplify the path to carbon neutrality, enabling your business to meet emissions targets without overwhelming internal resources. When shared transparently, these efforts can build credibility and show stakeholders your commitment to real climate action. Green Building and Facility Services For organizations with a physical footprint, outsourcing to green building service providers supports both environmental and business performance. Whether you're retrofitting with energy-efficient systems, reimagining interior layouts for LEED certification, or upgrading lighting and HVAC, retrofitting to eco-friendly office design supports long-term thinking. Outsourcing this expertise ensures you’re not only meeting today’s expectations—but also building for tomorrow’s workforce and market needs. Outsourced R&D for Sustainable Products Developing greener products doesn’t need to be done in-house. By outsourcing R&D to sustainability-focused experts, your company can bring innovative ideas—like biodegradable packaging or low-impact materials—to market faster. These partnerships inject creativity and specialized knowledge into your product development pipeline, helping you stay ahead of regulatory shifts and consumer demand. More importantly, they support a brand narrative rooted in innovation and responsibility. Conclusion: Aligning Profit with Purpose Sustainability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitiveness, resilience, and leadership. Outsourcing to sustainability-minded providers allows your business to focus on core strengths while accelerating progress toward environmental and ESG goals. From energy and IT to supply chain and product development, these partnerships offer a smart path forward—one that balances operational efficiency with lasting impact.  At its best, sustainable outsourcing isn’t a sideline strategy. It’s a meaningful part of how forward-thinking companies align profit with purpose—and demonstrate what’s possible when businesses lead with values.