Make Your Workplace More Environmentally Conscious

No matter where you live and work, there is one thing we all have in common: we have to start paying more attention to our environment. Being environmentally conscious is something we should all strive for not just in our homes, but in our workplaces too. There are companies from all over the world that have taken big and important steps in an attempt to reduce the negative impact on the environment. If this is something you would like to try in your workplace too, here are some things you could implement:

Start by recycling

Going paperless in an office is the absolute best thing you could do, but in order to get there, you will need to make adjustments and changes, and among them, recycling should be high on your priority list. All you need to do is set up several more bins and/or cardboard boxes where your employees can place their scrap papers in. Of course, you will also have to make an agreement with a local recycling company to collect the paper regularly. In addition, you should try using more recycled paper in the office for internal note-taking and packing products that you ship out.

Sustainable renovations

Every now and then there is something we need to fix or improve in the office. While there isn’t much that you can do in terms of knocking down or building walls, you can do your best to find companies and contractors who do sustainable office renovations. This way, you will know for sure that your office has been insulated properly, so you don’t waste energy on heating and cooling, and your windows treatments will ensure that harsh sun stays away from your desk in summer. What is more, you could also try introducing shower facilities in the office, as this will allow your employees to leave their car at home and walk, cycle, or perhaps even jog to work.

Green up the space

You wouldn’t believe just how many common pollutants can be found in an office: bacteria, dust, mold, pollen, even formaldehyde and car exhaust. NASA was one of the pioneers who decided to use plants hoping to improve air quality in the office, and it worked splendidly. As a result, many companies and small businesses use plants not just for decorative purposes, but for improving air quality too. A small plant on every desk, a vertical garden in the lobby, a few big potted plants in the chill area, and several small ones on the kitchen counter—all of these will make the space healthier and more inviting. Not to mention that plants boost people’s overall health and improve workplace productivity and performance.

Natural light

Natural light is very important for your wellbeing, and having more of it in the workplace is a great step towards sustainability. There are several ways you can bring more natural light to the office: with glass skylights and with a lot of big windows. With a skylight in a room, there will be little to no need for electrical lighting. Skylights let in the natural light right above people, which means less need for desk lamps and overhead fluorescent lighting too. What is more, exposure to natural light will significantly improve people’s mood and lower their stress levels. Not to mention that with a lot of natural light, you could also use solar panels to lower your electricity bills further.

Flexible work policies

With the possibilities that technology offers us, a typical 9-5 day in the office is slowly becoming obsolete. Working from home is comfortable, as well as sustainable, and numerous companies are encouraging their employees to try this approach. When you offer flexible work policies, you actually help create a more productive workplace, but you will also help cut down on carbon emissions, because fewer people have to travel to work.

Incentives for the staff

Creating a greener workspace isn’t too difficult, but maintaining it is, which is why incentives can help. This way, you will motivate your employees to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle and help maintain a green work environment. You could go as far as to offer financial rewards, because you were able to save a lot of money on electricity. Small tokens of recognition and gratitude in forms of plaques, a potted plant, or a certificate are also a good idea, or perhaps a special parking spot. As long as you make the process fun and enjoyable, there is no reason why your sustainable practices won’t work.

Regardless of what your company does, you should still make an effort to reduce and lower the impact that you have on the environment. You can start with the little things and work your way up: recycling, reducing plastic waste, and buying organic foods are great starting points for everyone. Being socially responsible is something we should all try because we have a duty to our planet and there is no better time to start making positive changes than now.