The concept of office sustainability is more important than ever. While larger sustainability initiatives tend to hog the limelight, it's the subtle, small changes that truly pave the way for a greener workplace. Let’s explore office sustainability and uncover the profound impact that modest, incremental changes can have on energy consumption, waste reduction, and the promotion of sustainable practices within your workplace.
Reducing energy consumption
There are many practical strategies for reducing energy usage in the office. Perhaps the simplest is making sure that you are signed onto your energy provider's GreenPower-accredited product. Green energy plans allow you to purchase between 10% and 100% of your electricity from a renewable source.
Another way is through energy-efficient equipment. Almost everything from the downlights in the office to the monitors workers use every day comes in energy-efficient options. Check the energy ratings of your appliances, like the office fridge and the air conditioner, and update them where required. While it might cost more now, it will be worth it in the long run.
If you’re searching for a new office space, try looking for an energy-efficient workspace and consider a green lease, where both you and the landlord incorporate green provisions.
If you want to go big and set an example with your company, applying solar panels to your building can be a triple threat — driving up office sustainability, saving you money, and putting green energy into the grid!
The day-to-day
While these are small acts, it can be even simpler. If you have a culture of getting coffee out in your office that is producing bins full of takeaway cups, consider getting a corporate coffee machine and encouraging workers to bring in mugs. By keeping a jar of sugar next to the machine you can also eliminate the use of single sachets. If people simply must get a barista-made beverage at their local cafe (which we understand!), consider buying everyone on your team a reusable cup to take with them!
Other things you can do include making sure everyone is turning off their computers overnight, discouraging printing, or even going paperless.
Sustainable waste reduction
Business generates about 20% of the world's waste, with offices being a huge contributor.
There are ways to drive down waste in your office and increase sustainability, and it all starts at the bins.
By having green waste (for composting), recycling and landfill bins that are clearly labelled with what can and cannot be put in them, you can create an office culture that is focused on limiting waste.
Another easy action that builds a sense of comradery and reduces waste is setting up an office upcycle station. We all know about the random office supplies that no one is using, gathering dust under the neon lights. By turning all of that stuff — the staplers, the hole punchers and those old mice — into an upcycle station, you can limit the amount of new office supplies people are buying and using unnecessarily.
The ripple effect of promoting sustainable practices in the office
As the world comes to terms with the level of action required to halt climate change, there is a rising level of doom and gloom. A recent study found that four in 10 Millennial and Gen Z workers already think the world has passed the tipping point.
Consider forming an in-office green team that takes pride in green initiatives around the office, and gently holds people accountable for their office sustainability practices. By building a team energy you can engage colleagues together, and show the impact of personal agency.
All of this can help underline that we are all on the sustainability journey together, starting in the office.
A task best tackled together
Office sustainability is an important part of humanity's broader goal to slow climate change. That said, it is also something that can be relatively easily achieved by taking small steps in your day-to-day actions. By supporting your employees and colleagues to take steps towards reducing waste — from coffee cups and printing less, to knowing what goes in what bin — everyone can band together to make a real difference.
Read more about office sustainability in Lavazza’s Destination: Workplace Sustainability magazine.
