Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s something that customers and clients will judge your business on when deciding who to work with. Climate change has arrived and the communities in which we operate expect us to uphold our end of the bargain and find more sustainable ways to do business. Whether you’re a producer of materials or the seller of the end product, all eyes are on your business practices. To learn how to boost the sustainability of your modern workplace, use this guide to get started now.
Start small
In any office, there is likely to be a number of actions and tasks that are repeated every day. In isolation, they don’t seem to have that much of an impact, over time they are a big chunk of your output. Printing is a great example of this, instead of utilising smaller cartridges and using more of them, opt for a larger solution like a HP 915 ink. Larger cartridges will generate more yield and less waste when compared to the standard sized cartridges that a lot of offices use.
These cartridges are more efficient and will help make your printing more sustainable. Another great sustainable choice is to opt for recycled paper. Instead of spending more on brand new paper and costing the environment, recycled paper is a much more sustainable option.
Lighting
Lighting is a huge source of energy consumption in the workplace. Making small changes to your lighting solutions can go a long way to helping your workplace be more sustainable. Do a walkthrough of your office or have an electrician come through and inspect the current lighting. If you have any fluorescent or bulb lights, consider making the change to LED lighting. LED lights consume less energy, last longer and are generally better for the environment. Lighting is a simple way to have a big impact on the sustainability of your workplace. Be sure to get an electrician through to check on the wattage requirements of the space. The last thing you want is the lights to be too dim and for it strain your staff members’ eyes to look at screens or paperwork.
Waste
Sustainability is always about what is already in the workplace, it can be about what your people bring into the office as well. Food waste and other general waste are huge contributors to environmental damage. Plastics and other waste is thrown out in the workplace account for a big part of the problem. A great way to make your workplace more sustainable is to implement policies around plastics and other waste materials that staff can bring into the office. Encourage staff to bring their own reusable containers or better yet, provide them for your staff with branding on them. This will not only help reduce the plastic and waste in the office, but it will also get the business name out there.
Add greenery
A simple way to make the office more sustainable is to add some greenery and plants to the decor. Plants are a great way to improve air quality and rely on fewer air conditions or air purifiers in the workplace. Air conditioners and purifiers use a lot of energy, whereas plants not only use no energy, they have been shown to improve the moods of staff in the office. Look for a variety of plants and small trees you can have in the office depending on the size of your space and watch the vibe around the office change. Staff will be less expectant of air conditioning and the general outlook in the office will improve as well.
Read: 3 Best Apps That Help You Improve Your Work Efficiency
Suppliers
A great way to make your workplace more sustainable is through the choices your workplace makes when it comes to who you work with. Many businesses are often judged as harshly by who they do business with as the work they do themselves. It’s worth investigating how your suppliers do business and deciding whether you want to align your business with them. Customers, clients and the community you operate in will appreciate your business far more if you take a stance on who you do business with. Before getting into business with a supplier or with your current suppliers, ask to see their sourcing documents and sustainability reports. It pays to do your homework and to be prepared when working with another business.
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Sustainability is an important factor in any modern workplace. Customers, clients and the broader communities in which you operate will be watching your practices and hold you accountable. You may think you’ve made a good start to becoming more sustainable. To boost that effort, and make your modern workplace more sustainable implement the tips in this guide now.