6 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Office Space

 

As the 2050 carbon neutral goal draws ever closer, the world has shown it needs to do more to reduce our overall carbon emissions and make the planet a healthier place for future generations. While individuals need to act on their own, it’s important for businesses to be seen doing more to make an impact and influence their own staff and customers to go green and make the change. Whether it’s through simple methods like turning the lights off at night and using less water to hybrid working or implementing coworking solutions to reduce resource use, there are many ways to go green and make a difference that counts. 

 

Here are 6 ways to create a more sustainable office space. 

 

Why Should Your Office Space be Sustainable?

 

Use Energy Efficient Technology

 

Quite simply, less energy means less costs, which is better for everyone, not just the planet.  By reducing the amount of energy your business uses, you’re cutting back on the cost of utilities, which not only is better for the planet, it’s better for your profit margins. Computers and hardware set to eco or low power mode, screens turned off overnight instead of left on standby and energy efficient lightbulbs can all make a difference. If you’re on the fence about switching to hybrid working, less people in the office also greatly reduces the amount of energy being consumed, even if it’s just one or two days a week. Less water, less power, less heat and of course, less fuel used by employees getting to and from the office. 

 

Encourage Recycling

 

Getting your team to recycle can be as simple as placing specific waste disposal containers within the office. Bins that only take general waste, paper, plastic, glass or food can make it easy for even the most stubborn of businesses to sort their rubbish and start recycling. Food waste can be composted, either by the business themselves or even the local council. 

 

Use Water Conservation Methods

 

Only using the dishwasher when it’s full, turning the taps off when you’re not using them and doing tea runs in batches rather than filling and refilling the kettle every time someone wants a brew. All of these methods can reduce your overall water usage and costs. If your property has showers, implementing a timer on the water so that there’s no chance of showers being left running by mistake when people are finished with them.

 

Green Purchasing

 

Buying materials and equipment in bulk to reduce deliveries and packaging, purchasing green or recyclable materials, or simply cutting back on items you don’t need. There are a variety of ways to reduce the carbon impact of your purchasing. Whether it’s changing to more sustainable brands, reducing the amount of single use plastics you use or just being conscious of the materials you’re ordering. Going paperless also means you’re spending much less on materials such as paper, ink and of course, printers which take up energy running all day.

Offer Green Transport Facilities 

 

The Cycle2Work scheme was implemented by the UK Government in 1999 as a method of getting more cars off the road and offering healthier, greener solutions to people’s transport plans. It is a government initiative that businesses must opt in to and offers a simple and cost-effective method for employees to purchase bicycles. The scheme means you don’t have to pay tax or national insurance on purchases, encouraging more people to cycle to work. If this isn’t an option, companies can also encourage carpooling for employees that live close to each other, reducing the need for everyone to take their own car. If businesses encourage these systems, employees are more likely to get involved than taking the initiative themselves. 

 

Increase Employee Awareness

 

Employees can only do so much without guidance. It’s down to the businesses in question to guide and teach their teams what to do, how to do it and why it’s important. Training days, learning materials or simply clear signage can make all the difference. By teaching good practice for the whole office, it becomes a habit that everyone can follow and help make a difference. If someone in the team isn’t following suit, instead of punishing (or ignoring it), simply show them where they’re going wrong and why it’s so important to go green. 

 

You can also show employees how going green can benefit the business financially, which in turn benefits them.