One of the biggest challenges facing businesses this decade is to embrace a more green existence. Not only is it a good feeling when you are limiting your environmental waste, but customers do care about how companies are run. When your clients and customers know that you put effort into sustainability, they are more likely to do business with you.
Here are five tips for improving your sustainability in the office.
- Set Up a Sustainability Team
Having a dedicated team that has the goal to improve sustainability within the office is a great place to start. Even a few members is enough, as they will have the time to dedicate to this project. It will also show everyone else that you are serious about making changes in the coming months and years.
- Avoid Plastic Bags
It is one of the easiest changes to make, yet we are so resistant. Instead of collecting plastic bags each time someone in the company goes shopping, look into custom grocery bags.
Not only are these bags better looking and easier to carry, they are reusable. No more plastic bags! Imagine the amount of waste that your company has already reduced by taking this measure.
- Create Monthly Challenges
Turning things into a little competition is a wonderful way to get everyone excited. Say you want to limit the amount of plastic forks, spoons, plates and cups being used. Setting a challenge for the entire office and then offering the winning team a prize is a good way to approach the situation. And the competition may only last a month, but the employees’ good habits will stay with them for years.
- Redo the Bathrooms
It is a bit of an undertaking, but redoing the bathrooms is a significant long-term change that you can make to your office’s sustainability. Sustainable bathroom fixtures use less water, while some toilets are even able to recycle water to the point where the net use is close to zero. It is not an easy change and you can stagger it over a few years, but it is definitely worth the investment.
- Look Into Renewable Energy
Green energy is all the rage these days. Solar power is a very realistic option for businesses, especially with so many tax breaks on offer. Most solar installations are done through installments, which means you are not paying the full amount until many years later.
The amount of money you will save on electric bills is a huge plus. But the biggest benefit is knowing that your company has drastically reduced its environmental footprint. You will be proud to tell customers and clients that you are one of the few companies in the area that not only cares about the environment, but takes real action to help it!
The following five changes will transform your office into a place that is sustainable and good for the environment. Not all the changes are easy, but even if you implement a few of these policies, it is a step in the right direction.
