5 Ways to Go Green in Your Office
With increased attention on the “go green” movement, many offices are finding ways to become more eco-friendly. But going green doesn’t have to cost green, there are simple tricks that can actually save your company money. Consider any of the following:
Turn off the lights
We’re not saying work in the dark! Open the blinds and let the sun shine in. Not only will you cut down on electricity, 75.8% of employees surveyed by Leesman reported that natural light was important to them, while only 56.9% were satisfied with the amount of sunlight in their workplace.
Other than electric savings, increased sunlight in the workplace has been proven to boost sleep quality and efficiency and encourages physical activity, both of which boost productivity in employees.
If your office can’t rely on sunlight alone, opt for LED lighting and consider installing occupancy sensors in rooms to ensure the lights are only on when needed.
Cut back on printing
Despite the world going digital, the average U.S. office worker still uses about 10,000 sheets of copy paper per year. To reduce that figure, set your office copier’s default to double sided printing, opt for electronic forms, and allow staff members to bring laptops to meetings so they can follow along with a digital handout instead of a printed one. When a document must be printed, supply your office with as close to 100% post-consumer recycled paper as you can.
Ready to take it one step further? Delight your eco-conscious customers by printing your company’s marketing materials on post-consumer recycled paper.
Keep an eye on the supply closet
Select one or two employees as “watchdogs” of the supply closet to monitor usage and reduce waste. It’s estimated that 70% of a business’ landfill waste could have been recycled, and while paper makes up most of that figure, office supplies still contribute a good portion.
Having supply closet watchdogs allows your company to track usage as well as reduce waste, as employees are less likely to take more than they need with a careful eye watching.
To reduce waste in the supply closet even further, stock reusable pens and encourage employees to use ceramic mugs instead of paper cups for coffee.
Hire an eco-friendly corporate lunch caterer
Sharing a meal in the workplace is not only a great way to strengthen your team and boost productivity amongst employees; it’s an opportunity to be good to Mother Earth. By following the Sustainable Catering Guide from MIT, your office will be able to cut back on disposable serving ware, food waste, and resources while also supporting local farmers and ensuring your team enjoys a healthy lunch just by hiring an eco-friendly corporate lunch caterer.
Add greenery
The simplest way to go green is by adding green. Plants absorb airborne pollutants and emit healthy negative ions and oxygen, which is healthier for employees and reduces your company’s toxic load in to the atmosphere.
Not only that, researchers found that employees who have a direct view of at least two plants had improvements in concentration and job satisfaction.
Being mindful of waste and making simple changes can have a huge impact on greening up your office. And you’ll not only make Mother Earth happy, but your employees and customers as well.
Meet Rootasters:
Meg is a dreamer, entrepreneur, and homesteader based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She loves her cats, feasting, and road trips in her green VW Bug.