Make Environment Smile with These 7 Simple Office Changes
Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 6:00 PM | Leave Comment
With the ongoing debate on the truth of global warming and dwindling natural resources, many have been inspired to take actions into their own hands.
While a number of individuals and families have gone green years ago, nowadays we are seeing more and more great corporations stepping up their game and choosing to do their part for the world, as well.
The fact is, a typical office space provides a number of opportunities for going green; with just several, even minor adjustments you can help make a world a better place and set up an example for your industry peers. Still not convinced?
Then let us put it this way: did you know that more than half of consumers prefer to collaborate with a company with green reputation?
So what exactly can you do to step over to the eco-friendly side?
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Recycle
It represents one of the first steps towards green living (and working, of course).
First, update your company policies and make sure you have proper bins that allow you and your staff to separate paper and recyclables from other waste.
Invest in sturdy ones that will last for many uses, or even opt for the shredding machine.
Ink cartridges can be particularly problematic, but there are suppliers who give you store credit if you choose to return spent toner and ink for a refill, thus rewarding your green business. This way you prevent cartridges from clogging up landfills.
You could also choose staple-less staplers or pens that can be refilled repeatedly.
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Bring in the greenery
Filling your office with pots of plants will breathe life into your workspace, as well as elevate the overall design.
They will improve the quality of indoor air keeping it clean and fresh, but bear in mind that not all plants are equal.
A recent study proved certain varieties do more than just pump more oxygen into the surroundings – certain types of plants will absorb volatile organic compounds which are potentially harmful pollutants that come from your office furniture, printers, wall paint and other products.
Check out this post that explores air purifying plants from groomandstyle.com
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Easy on the lightning
Your office space might lack natural light, and for higher productivity levels, you chose to install harsh overhead lightning which might do the trick for you and your staff, but not for the environment.
Consider switching them for some lamps that use LED or CFL lights, since these use up to 75% less energy and deliver the same light output.
Softer lighting will also help create calmer, warmer, more comforting, and overall, more productive atmosphere.
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Shop smart
Opt for office supplies with a green label on them. Go for the eco-friendly paper towels and toilet papers, as well as paper cups instead of Styrofoam.
Before making any final purchase decisions, check out the packaging and then get items based on more use and less waste.
Look for products that are made from post-consumer content, that is, materials which have been collected back from previous products and remade into new ones.
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Green “movement”
If you choose to relocate your office space completely, ensure you move green every step of the way.
To store all of the office supplies, forget about the cardboard boxes and opt for environmentally-friendly moving boxes Sydney area has gone crazy about – plastic boxes that can be used up to 400 times, instead of once and thrown out in the trash.
Aside from them being greener alternative, they are also more practical, as they are super sturdy and come with attached lids for easy opening and closing.
You can just forget about the unpractical tape and will not have to wrap as much, since many items will not require individual protection.
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Heating and cooling
If you have access to the office thermostat and can control the heat in the office, set it up to 21°C when it is occupied, and 16°C on weekends, when no one is in.
Remember that heating and cooling set points have to be set 2 to 3°C apart so that the air condition would not turn on and off frequently.
In order to minimize the heat loss from doors and windows, take advantage of weather-striping and caulking.
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Electronic equipment
In today’s day and age, there’s rarely an office space without computers or other similar electronic devices.
Aside from the advice regarding energy consumption that says your computer should be off when not in use, it is also important to keep the equipment up-to-date.
Namely, current new computers and monitors are designed to be more energy efficient than those designed several years ago.
Furthermore, you can even recycle old computer equipment; simply throwing it away can be quite hazardous for the environment, and for this reason has to be disposed properly.
So, what is it going to be first? Even the smallest changes in your workplace can make big, positive impact on the environment, and can be more cost-efficient for you.
Consider all of the above-mentioned tips and start implementing them one by one. Or maybe you know something more we haven’t already mentioned? Share with us in the comment section!
For more info, read 17 Best Bathroom Plants.
15 Plants That Help Improve The Air Quality In Your Home
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