The Undeniable Benefits of Making Your Office Sustainable

Julie Starr • August 13, 2024

In a time where there's a heightened sense of awareness for the environment sustainability has become a crucial consideration for any business worldwide. You always need to make sure that you are creating a sustainable office so that you can reduce any negative environmental impact your business may have. 


When you do this you're going to create a culture of responsibility and care among your employees. This will boost their morale and it will also make you look good in the eyes of consumers. 


If you have been searching for ways to make your office more sustainable so that you can make it energy efficient, reduce waste and promote an eco-friendly workplace, take a look at the tips below.


Understanding Sustainability in the Office Context

Before you jump into specific actions you must understand what sustainability means in the context of an office environment. When you're thinking about making your office sustainable, what you're actually saying is that you want to reduce energy usage, minimize waste and use your resources as efficiently as you possibly can. 


Sustainability is also about promoting a healthy work environment for everyone in your business. You want a culture that is going to support environmental stewardship both inside and outside of your office. 


What you should be aiming for is to create a mode of operation that has a long-term impact on your environment as well as society and the economy. When you look at it from this point of view you're taking a holistic approach so that you can be competitive and resilient at all times.


Energy Efficiency 

Energy deficiency is one of the most important areas you can focus on when you're trying to make your office sustainable. In an office, you will inevitably use a lot of energy and you have to make sure you are doing so in the most responsible way possible.


Lighting

One of the first things you need to consider when you are thinking about sustainability is an energy-efficient light source. You're going to need to reduce electricity usage.


Try using LED bulbs that consume a lot less power. If you're not currently using those you should switch to them. 


You should also think about installing motion sensor lights for timers in your office so that they only come on at selected areas at specific times. Natural lighting should always be utilized as well. It will reduce your need for artificial light and you will be less dependent on your power company. All of this can make your working environment a lot more pleasant.


HVAC Systems

Always make sure that you are regularly maintaining your HVAC systems. It is one of the biggest consumers of energy in any office. You must ensure that it is running efficiently. 


When you start drastically reducing energy consumption by using a programmable thermostat. You can begin to use cooling based on the hours you are in the office.


This is going to reduce energy significantly and be a big boost for sustainability.


Office Equipment 

Office equipment like printers, and computers are all going to contribute to energy consumption in the office. You will want to encourage your employees to start turning off computers and other equipment if they're not in use. 


This should especially be done overnight so that you can conserve energy. You can start investing in energy efficiency, and in this way, you are going to contribute to sustainability by leaps and bounds. 


Phantom energy consumption is a real problem and by unplugging devices when you're not in the office you're helping to reduce this type of energy consumption. 


Reducing Waste 

Waste reduction is one of the critical components that you need to consider when you're trying to make your office sustainable.


Paper Use

You need to make sure that you cut down on paper usage in the office. Try to go digital as much as possible with your communication and your documents. 


When you make the office environment sustainable like this you are helping to save trees. Cloud storage is big and it can store a lot. 


Whenever printing is necessary, try to gather up as much recycled paper as you can to use these instead of using brand-new paper. Ensure that your printers are set to double-sided printing by default so that you use all the necessary space on the paper. 


Recycling Programs

Whenever you can enroll your office in recycling programs, this is how you're going to push that office waste all the way down. Use recycling bins in the office and make sure that they are easily accessible to those who need it. 


Be sure to clearly label your recycling bins and ensure everybody knows which is for plastic, paper and other recyclable materials. 


Make sure to educate your employees about what they can and cannot recycle in the office. Partner with a recycling company to deal with the recyclable products from your office.


Sustainable Sourcing

Sustainable sourcing is always something that should be on the table when it comes to selecting products and services for your business. This is the only way you're going to minimize environmental impact in a big way. Take a look at how you can apply this principle in your office.


Office Supplies 

When you're purchasing office supplies you should make sure you're looking for products made from recycled and sustainable materials. This includes everything from paper to furniture and even the cleaning products that you use. 


Make sure you get a supplier that prioritizes sustainability above all else. 


Office Furniture and Building Materials 

You should always make sure that you're invested into sustainable office furniture and materials whenever you can. When you do this you're reducing any negative environmental impact and enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of the workplace in a big way. 


One of the key materials you should always consider is sheet metal as it offers durability and recyclability. Sheet metal can be sourced from recycled materials and used in various applications. 


It can be used for partitioning walls, making cabinetry as well as roofing. Its longevity is going to reduce the need for frequent replacement. Additionally, sheet metal is 100 percent recyclable which makes it a sustainable choice for your office needs. 


Using sheet metal can also improve the efficiency of your office by enhancing the insulation and reducing your heating and cooling bills.


The Benefits of a Sustainable Office

Starting sustainable office practices is going to have some far-reaching benefits for your business. Aside from reducing the environmental impact, and warding off too much energy consumption. You're going to notice the following. 


Positive Brand Image

One of the most important things that sustainability is going to do for you is to upgrade your brand image in a big way. When you protect the environment and show responsibility, it's going to enhance your brand image tremendously. 


You'll be able to differentiate yourself from your competitors, and that is going to get more eyeballs on your business.


Save Money

One of the biggest benefits is that you are going to save money in the long run. There's no doubt about that and this is always a good thing for your business. You can channel that money into other areas where it is needed so that you can push your business’ growth and development.


Sustainability requires commitment but if you're up to the task you're going to reap some big rewards for your business in the long term. That will see you leaving your competitors scratching their heads wondering how to keep up with you.

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.