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With so many people worried about climate change, businesses and individuals must do everything possible to reduce their carbon footprint. Businesses have a social responsibility to do everything they can to care for their environment, and there are many ways they can make their workplace eco-friendly. If you are a business owner keen to create a more environmentally friendly workplace, you will need to assess your business and look at ways to improve. Below are some options that can help you make your office or workplace friendlier for the environment, reduce your carbon footprint, and set an excellent example for your employees.
Different Ways Of Creating An Eco-Friendly Workplace
Sustainable Office Design
If your business has not yet moved into your workplace, you can get the ball rolling by designing a sustainable office using environmentally friendly materials. You want to use sustainable materials in your office design and ensure you select energy-efficient lighting and ergonomic furniture made using sustainable or recycled materials. Maximising the natural light in your workplace can reduce the need for artificial lighting and enhance the well-being of your employees, reducing energy usage and increasing your workers’ productivity. You can consider using one of the many different design companies to help you design a suitable workspace for your business and ensure it will be comfortable for your employees.
Waste Reduction & Recycling
You can also start a waste reduction and recycling program within your business that can help stop sending as much waste to landfills. You can have separate receptacles for different types of waste in your workplace, ensuring there is space for recyclable plastics, paper and cardboard, glass, and biodegradable waste. There are also things you can do to reduce the waste your business produces, such as going paperless where possible and having employees use mugs and bottles for drinks instead of paper or plastic cups. Doing things like this can show your employees that you are making a concerted effort to care for the environment, and it is an excellent advertisement for your business.
Choose Energy-Efficient Devices
You can also ensure that your business selects energy-efficient devices for your workplace that will help reduce your business’s energy consumption. When buying an item such as an industrial inkjet printer, computer monitors, fridges, and other electrical items, look at their energy rating and choose the best option your budget will allow. Most electrical items in the UK will come with a rating, so you can research the best option easily by looking online before buying them. The more energy-efficient they are, the less power they use, which can help significantly reduce your organization’s energy bills.
Recycle Your Electricals
When replacing electrical items for your business, including computers, you want to recycle them instead of sending them to landfills. Many companies throughout the country can help you with this task, and although there is an expense, it can stop your old electrical items from being thrown in landfill sites. These items can sometimes be repaired, or with computers and laptops, they can be wiped and sold to extend their lifespan. Items that cannot be repaired or sold can be stripped down to their component parts and recycled or sometimes repurposed.
Insulate Your Workplace
Something else you can do that can be better for the environment and reduce your energy usage is ensuring that your workplace has sufficient insulation. When your place of work is well-insulated, it can keep it at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, meaning your HVAC system does less work and uses less power. There are various types of insulation you can use in your workplace, and there are options for the walls, ceilings, and floors you can consider using. You can make significant savings on your energy bills when you have ample insulation in your workplace, and it can also help make it a much more comfortable place throughout the year.
Choose Sustainable Office Supplies
There are many consumable office supplies that your organisation will use, and you will want to find sustainable options for the different products you buy regularly. Choosing sustainable office supplies can make a significant difference in the overall environmental impact of a workplace. You can choose recycled paper, eco-friendly pens, and refillable ink cartridges among the consumables your company buys, and other options are available. You must partner with suppliers committed to sustainable practices, ensuring that the products entering the workplace align with the company’s eco-friendly goals.
Creating an eco-friendly workplace and ensuring your company plays its part will require commitment, collaboration, and continuous improvement. More eco-friendly options will often cost you more, but it is worth the price if they are better for our environment. Always do plenty of research into the products or items you will use in your workplace, and do not take manufacturers’ claims at face value. With effort from you and your employees, we can help safeguard our planet and create a brighter future for the next generation.
