We all must do our part to care for the environment and reduce our personal carbon footprint. Though it’s easier to control that at home, we can easily turn our workplace into a Green Zone, and there are many ways that we can make a big impact at our workplace with proven results from experts in the field.
Going green in your business also produces green for your business. There are a lot of cost-effective ways to reduce your use, which helps the Earth and your budget.
- Companies large and small are switching to predominantly electronic communication and have drastically reduced printing of documents and presentations which can easily be shared electronically and/or screened for viewing purposes. The money that is saved on paper, ink, and copy machine maintenance really adds up, but it also means that fewer trees are being cut down and less air is being polluted to make the paper. Recycled printing paper is also readily available.
- Energy efficient LED lights use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last up to 20 years! And taking it a step further, adding dimmers and timers are quick and efficient.
- Blue recycling bins for paper are pretty common but it is just as easy to set up recycling bins in a common area for batteries, light bulbs, and ink cartridges. They all are toxic if thrown into the trash, which only ends up in the landfills.
- Switching to filtered water instead of bottled water is cost effective and makes a huge environmental impact.
- Traveling to a meeting takes time, money, and causes pollution, so instead of always filling a conference room with employees for one meeting, try an interactive conference call option which allows everyone to communicate with one another without the sometimes unnecessary commute.
- Many businesses have seen an improvement in productivity from employees who are allowed to work from home either part-time or on occasion. For many, being able to work from the comforts of their own home is a huge bonus, but it also helps reduce commuter traffic and saves on gas. For the worker, it could also mean less dry cleaning and less wear and tear on their vehicles.
- Sharing your commute can save both money and aggravation. Taking turns in a carpool to work take more cars off the road and allows colleagues to bond and catch up before arriving for work. You can also implement a “no work talk” rule to keep it social and light until you clock in.
Creating an office environment that is cognizant of its impact on the environment declares its compassion for its employees and clients. Going green is not only easy, but an obligation that will impact everyone for decades to come.