According to a report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), critical action is needed – and fast.
We’re often told how we can reduce our carbon footprint at home (and we’re all doing it, right?) but less so about how we can do it while at work.
The average Brit spends 19% of their year working, which is almost 1,689 hours. With such a large chunk of time spent in the office, it makes sense to implement these eco-friendly practices in the workplace.
From using plastic-free toilet paper throughout office toilets to encouraging staff to use public transport or carpool, Jordan Kelly, brand manager for sustainable brand Oceans, has put together this ultimate guide.
1. Energy efficiency
Let’s start with a simple yet powerful suggestion: make your office space more energy efficient. The necessary actions aren’t too dissimilar to what you’d practice at home, so this should be a super quick win.
If you aren’t a decision maker, pull the necessary people to one side and urge them to approve a series of measures to make the office more environmentally friendly. Suggestions include:
Upgrade lighting – Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights.
Unplug devices – Ensure employees unplug electronic devices when not in use. Laptops and computers, for example, continue to consume power even when powered down.
Utilise natural light – Make the most of natural sunlight by positioning desks near windows.
Install motion sensors – Prevent unnecessary energy consumption by installing motion-activated lights in the office, communal spaces, and toilets.
2. Commuting
Being more eco-friendly at work includes how you get to and from work. Across the UK, drivers accounted for 68 per cent of those who travel to work. That’s a lot of people, which means a lot of cars and a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.
As an individual, you should consider other modes of transportation to reduce your carbon footprint. If you have the authority to do so, encourage others to do the same.
Creating a carpooling system for colleagues who live in nearby areas is a fantastic way to contribute to a greener, cleaner world. Naturally, using a shared vehicle reduces carbon emissions; why have five cars on the road, polluting the environment, when you could have just one?
Similarly, using public transport instead of driving can help reduce global warming. With more people hopping on buses or trains to get to work, the number of vehicles on the road is reduced.
Employees could be incentivised by promises of contributions to the cost of their public transportation tickets or petrol if they’re carpooling.
3. Sustainable purchasing
Office spaces typically require lots of stationery, including paper, envelopes, pens, post-it notes, and file folders.
To be more eco-friendly at work, start by determining which stationery is really necessary. For example, start sending information to customers, clients, and staff digitally instead of via physical letters. You could completely strike or heavily reduce the number of envelopes you purchase.
Once you have a list of the items that are a necessity rather than a nice-to-have, try only to buy products made from recycled materials and suppliers that prioritise sustainability.
Why stop at just stationery? Ensure that the products you use beyond the office space are also sustainable. Use plastic-free toilet paper in the bathrooms, and ensure all cleaning products are made without harsh non-biodegradable chemicals.
Jordan said: “Many of us fail to realise the huge impact that certain products can have on the environment – we usually don’t think twice about necessities such as toilet paper and bleach. We know we need them, so we usually opt for the most cost-effective.
“Environmentally friendly doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive. Decision makers within offices should take responsibility for ensuring the stationery and products used throughout the buildings are kind to the environment, and staff should be having more conversations among themselves.”
4. Establish and promote eco-friendly policies
Not everyone is on the same broken ice cap when it comes to climate change, so don’t expect all staff and colleagues to follow your suggestions at the initial request.
Instead, continue to raise awareness among employees about the importance of reducing their carbon footprint and regularly promote sustainable practices. You could do this by putting up posters that promote eco-friendly behaviour or frequently sending out internal newsletters that address the topic (just make sure you don’t spam people!).
Additionally, try taking your efforts outside of the workplace. Have staff and colleagues support and participate in environmental campaigns and events across the community. You could spend a sunny day cleaning up the local beach or volunteering your time at a wildlife centre.
Not only is this a fantastic team bonding exercise, but these activities can also have a positive impact on the environment. It’s a win-win!
Good for the environment, good for business
It’s worth noting that not only are these suggestions paramount to helping the environment succeed, but also a business.
For example, becoming more energy efficient means cheaper electricity bills, and every business should appreciate a cost saving during these uncertain times. Likewise, reducing how much stationery the office purchases results in spending less money on pointless products.
Being more eco-conscious shouldn’t start and end with your household. Take your transformed habits, valuable knowledge, and lifestyle changes, and use them in the professional environment to help save the environment!