Simple steps toward an eco-friendly office
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Going green is not just trendy, it's also good for our own planet. At work, you can do so many little things that would make a huge difference: from reducing copies to using as much natural light as possible. If you start, then all your colleagues will also improve their routine habits!
Everyone is going green these days. From improving the amount of natural light indoors, to only buying and using environmentally friendly supplies, it is evident that the human race has woken up to the realities of environmental change. Just like in homes, offices too can develop eco-conscious spaces. All you need to do to make your office eco-friendly is stop any human activity in the office that contributes to environmental degradation, and instead adopt practices that promote environmental conservation. Train your employees to practice environmentally-friendly habits in the office, at all times.
That being said, which simple steps can you take towards creating an eco-friendly office?
1. Reduce printing
Printing is a large contributor to deforestation. And because offices have made printing too convenient, people are doing it even when they don’t need to. For example, do you really need to print memos and when you can reach every employee via word of mouth? Do you need to print bulky reports which you then dump in a dustbin without reading? It is best that you invest in a digital document management system, adopt digital communication within the office, and equip employees with the proper tools to read and share documents without needing to print them.
2. Bring in houseplants
If you're able, invest in nice, modern grow lights and then bring in a few office plants to improve indoor air quality. Employees swear that they become more productive when nature is brought into the office environment. That is particularly because plants produce more oxygen and consume most of the carbon dioxide that we emit, consequently cleaning the air. Plants can also clear out the chemicals your furniture and paint emit into the office space.
3. Use renewable energy
Start using solar and wind energy, or any other green power or renewable energy source, in your office. Rooftop solar installations are now more affordable and accessible than in the past, which makes it easy for you to make the switch to a green energy plan. Consult your local electricity supplier on how you can make the switch.
4. Reuse and recycle
Reduce the usage of plastic in the office, reuse water bottles and everything reusable, and liaise with junk removal companies to recycle your recyclable junk. Get rid of those disposable cups and buy reusable metallic cups, for example. While at it, avoid buying things that you don’t need, or using plastic bags as shopping bags.
