October 28, 2022

How to make your office more sustainable

It’s a tough time for many businesses. Budgets are being cut and with the hybrid working movement, organisations are constantly having to do more to retain staff in a job-seeker market. This may cause some leaders to brush sustainability concerns under the rug due to feeling as though they simply don’t have the time or resources to make it a priority. 

However, responsible changes don’t always have to come at a high cost, and we’ve shared a trio of tips for a greener office.

Paperless 

Going paperless can be a real challenge, especially if you have got used to using paper for years. The average office worker uses about 10,000 sheets of paper per year, causing significant damage to the environment as well as creating clutter.

The cost of paper is continuously increasing, which is leading many offices to consider alternatives. Thanks to digital technologies, it is possible to lead business correspondence, sign contracts, and organise meetings and work schedules without paper. You can upload your contract and send it to everyone who needs to sign it; electronic signatures can also be stored for future use. Paperless billing can also be done via an online service. Recycling unnecessary paper, as well as scanning and saving important documents, can help you make your workspace more efficient, well-organised and clean.

Recycled Materials 

An environmentally friendly office has tools and equipment that can be recycled when needed. Using furniture made of sustainable materials leads to less waste and lower carbon emissions. Not only do features like recyclable furniture or tech equipment play an essential role in defining the sustainability of the office, but pens, notebooks and utensils also matter. All these things, if recycled, can help keep toxic chemicals out of landfill.

Unfortunately, the amount of so-called e-waste that is recycled nowadays is not high enough to save our planet, but if each person is conscious of the consequences of environmental pollution caused by broken tech devices, the situation will change for the better. By the way, shutting down just one computer, rather than leaving it on, saves approximately 300 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Improved eco-efficiency

Companies that invest in small improvements like LED lights can see a long-term return. LEDs last longer than fluorescent bulbs, they don’t contain toxic chemicals and they are more energy-efficient.

Energy consumption also depends much on the availability of natural light in the office space. Choosing an office with a good number of windows is one of the best ways of achieving an eco-friendly workspace. By allowing natural daylight through windows, you will reduce the need for artificial lighting, and people who work in well-lit offices tend to have lower stress levels.

Additional methods of making an office more energy efficient include things like solar batteries and sensor-activated lights.

Closing thought 

On a week where the UN warned that there is no ‘credible pathway’ to keeping the global temperature threshold at 1.5C, there is a need for offices to play their part and be as sustainable as possible. 

Want more advise on keeping your office greener? You can get in touch with us here.

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