With climate change on the political agenda, we’re all become more and more aware of needing to do our bit for this planet of ours. If we want to be able to give our children and our children’s children the same quality of life as we have now, it’s crucial that we make changes in the here and now. The thing is, changing the world is a huge task, and a mountain to climb. The good news? If we all start making small changes right now, those odd changes can turn into a landslide positive victory.
The office environment is one place you can make small changes which will have a huge impact on fight to better the environment. If you can encourage your employees to focus on environmental wellbeing, you’ll certainly be doing your bit for the planet. In many cases, these changes can also help your business to grow, without you even realising it!
So, how can you do that?
Let’s explore a few ideas.
Think About Second Hand Furniture
When you need to replace something, don’t automatically go for the most up to date or expensive piece. Why not go for second hand furniture and recycle someone else's old reception desk, for example? You can easily find high quality pieces, many of which have been renovated to a high standard, making this a cheap contemporary office furniture route for businesses who have a lower budget too.
Cash saved and environment bettered from the get go! Are you ready to explore second hand office furniture near me?
Reach For The Dream – A Paperless Office
The paperless office is something we’ve been hearing about for decades but it’s yet to completely materialise. Whilst becoming 100% paperless might be difficult, you can do your best to achieve it as much as you can. Stick to digital storage methods rather than paper-based ones, encourage your staff to think twice before they print something out, and basically create an environment which more digitally minded overall. This will help you move forward as a business, whilst also cutting down on your environmental impact. The papers that you do need to print out and store, use a storage wall to cut down on space in general.
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Encourage Recycling Wherever Possible
Encouraging your staff to recycle is a great way to start being more green in your office environment, but it doesn’t stop there. Of course, having recycling bins around the building is a must do, but how about opting for recycled paper and recycled ink cartridges, rather than buying new? You can even recycle your furniture and have it covered when it needs replacing, creating trendy office furniture and saving cash! Recycling is certainly the way forward. Last but not least: don't waste paper!
Encourage Staff to Walk or Cycle, and Lower their Carbon Footprint
Encouraging cycling, walking and even car sharing is a great way to lower the impact of carbon emissions on the environment, and it can help to boost social interactions between staff members too. All of this boosts morale, which in turn boosts productivity! You could also issue staff with cheap pedometers and have a competition on who can walk to work the fastest, or who can clock up the most steps in a day, to discourage car use.
Use Cleaning Products Which Are Non-Toxic
Stick to natural and organic cleaning products, rather than the chemical-laden bleaches and other options that you might have been used to in the past. You can also opt for recycled toilet paper in your rest rooms and have air hand dryers, rather than paper towels.
Be Electricity Savvy, And Avoid Stand-by
Do you regularly leave your printers on stand-by? Do you leave your computers on your reception counter or regular desks switched on and sleeping? This is a common way to drain electricity, increase your bills, but also damage the environment. Make sure everything is switched off at the end of the day, and don’t leave electrical items switched on when they don’t need to be. By being electricity savvy, you do your bit for the planet, but you save cash on your electricity bill too.
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| Furniture: Calibre Office Furniture |
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Design: Bright Nature Interiors |
Design Your Office to Promote Nature
By having an office which promotes the importance of nature, you’ll press home that very same importance to your staff too. Think about using natural artwork pieces on your walls, having plants in the office space, and increase the amount of natural light you have. When you set the scene, the results are increased – it’s impossible to sit in a conference chair and look at a bright and natural scene and not be inspired!
Stock Organic And Fair Trade Products in The Canteen
If you have a canteen or coffee machine in your office space, only stock organic produce and Fair Trade. For instance, Fair Trade coffee is delicious and does its bit for sustainability, whilst organic products are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals which do nothing for the state of the planet.