Tips To Make Your Next Office Renovation More Sustainable

Julie Starr • May 31, 2021



The need for sustainability is increasingly gaining ground as businesses are putting suitable measures to make their operations as green as possible. But sustainability doesn’t always have to do with how you run your business, as it also involves where you run it. According to experts , buildings contribute over 30% of all carbon emissions while being responsible for about 40% of energy consumption in general. Of these stats, office buildings take up about a third. Meaning there’s still a lot to do regarding making commercial buildings more eco-friendly. And you can do your part by ensuring that your next office renovation is a more sustainable one. So, does your workspace need a bit of a tune-up? Use the following tips to make your renovation more environmentally sustainable. 

Get an energy expert to assess the situation

Your main goal, aside from sprucing up your office’s appearance, is to ensure that you reduce energy levels and carbon emissions as much as possible. One of the best ways to achieve this is to hire an expert to assess the current state of your office and make a list of the areas that require changes to reduce carbon emissions. 

Next, ensure that all the professionals or workers involved in the renovation work together to deliver an integrated strategy to make your office building or workspace more energy-efficient. That means you need to ensure that your architect, suppliers, and the building owner or landlord, are all fully aware of the required upgrade changes. One massive benefit of getting everyone on the same page is that they can make efficient upgrade suggestions you might not have thought about.

Bring your workers up to speed

Your working staff may not necessarily be directly involved in the renovation process, but that does not mean you should leave them uninformed about the process. Take the time to educate your team about the needed renovation, what they should expect to see differently, and how the changes will benefit them and the environment. After informing them about the changes, you can encourage them to make recommendations available if they have any.

You should arrange a temporary work environment as your renovation project goes on. Also, don’t forget to reward their patience, commitment, and hard work by picking up some gifts for employees . 

Bring in the natural elements

Once you have everyone on the same page, it is time to focus on putting the right design changes in place. The right renovations changes will depend on what you want out of your project; for example, are you creating more space? But no matter the reason behind your renovation, there are some things you cannot ignore. And one of them is letting in more natural light. Discuss with your team how best to design your office renovation in a way that allows natural light to flow in and reduce your reliance on artificial options. 

Alternatively, you can opt for more efficient artificial light options like LED or CFL lighting. Another natural element worth adding is a touch of plants. Plants have both aesthetic and health benefits too. They work around the clock to reduce polluting agents in the air, release oxygen, and boost humidity, making them ideal for office spaces with dry air. And speaking of dry air, you should also undertake your renovation in a way that improves natural airflow. Take advantage of your renovation to replace or clean out old windows and air vents to improve airflow. Blocked air vents will not only increase your energy bills it will also put the health of your employees at risk.

Use eco-friendly building materials

Speak with your architect, designers, suppliers, etc., about more environmentally friendly renovation materials . From your new wall paint to your fixtures and furniture options, as well as other materials for your renovation, ensure you pay attention to more sustainable building materials. For example, when selecting your office furniture, you might want to consider avoiding options made from wood composites, as they tend to contain very high levels of volatile organic compounds. 

Follow regulatory requirements

Before you start your renovation project, you should ensure that you know and follow all regulatory requirements for your office building plans. Such laws are in place as a way of providing environmental protection while promoting safety. You need to ensure that you meet every standard set in the regulations right from the onset of your project. As mentioned earlier, following such instructions will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save a lot of money in the process. 

 

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.
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