Your office space may be the last place you consider when you’re trying to be more sustainable. However, as the core of your business, the office is a great place to implement sustainable practices. From recycled supplies and decor to responsible decision-making around reusing and recycling, there’s plenty of room for more sustainability in office spaces. Here are a few ways you can make your office space better for the planet.
Reduce Energy Consumption
One of the easiest ways to make any space more sustainable is by turning off lights, computers and other electronics when they’re not in use. Offices tend to have several devices plugged in at any given time, and if they’re in sleep mode, they can still drain a significant amount of electricity. While you may not want to remind co-workers to turn off their lights and computers every day, make sure everything is at least powered off before everyone leaves for the weekend.
Implement a Recycling Program
An effective office recycling program does more than tell your co-workers to recycle. It makes them more aware of areas where they can reuse and recycle to reduce their carbon footprint. Set up clearly marked recycling stations for items like paper, plastic and glass that can easily be recycled. Make sure employees know what can and cannot be recycled. You can also recycle old office equipment by repurposing it or donating it to a local charity or thrift store.
Go Paperless
For some offices, going completely paperless isn’t an option. Vendors or clients may require printed paperwork, or there may be important documents that it’s safer to file printed out rather than digitally. However, most offices can benefit from digitizing documents and switching to electronic communication. Cloud storage and collaboration tools can also help remove paper from the equation. In the event that something needs to be printed, consider using recycled paper.
Use Sustainable Materials
From furniture to cleaning supplies, you can almost always find more sustainable products for your office. Look for products made from recycled or natural materials. When buying cleaning products, look for sustainable alternatives to traditional harsh industrial chemicals. Get your co-workers involved, too. Encourage them to bring reusable water bottles to fill at the water cooler, and let them bring in their own mugs. Make sure to have a few mugs in the office for co-workers and visitors to use.
Whether you’re now in the market for new office essentials or you need to figure out how your office can run with less paper, you can contact Pollock Orora for assistance. Office sustainability — SOLVED.