Going green has become a trend among small and big businesses alike — and with good reason. Getting your office space to go green is an excellent decision that will benefit your company for years to come. Not only will you be making a positive impact on the planet, but you’ll also be able to optimize your savings. Since the Carbon Tax necessitates strategies to decrease carbon emissions, it seems like implementing best practices to create an eco-friendly office is the most logical decision to make. Here are some recommendations to get you started:
Utilize nature
Hiring commercial mowers to tend to your landscape helps you utilize nature strategically. Trees that offer shade provide warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer. This allows you to drastically lower your usage of heating and cooling systems which likewise reduces your energy costs.
Avoid using paper
Most things that are done on paper can just as easily be done digitally. Making use of digital technology not only reduces your paper wastage, but it also makes it much easier to organize and make backup copies of files. If you find it difficult to go completely paperless, you can opt to use recycled paper instead.
Offer alternative means of transportation
Encourage your team to consider alternative green means of transportation. This may include biking or walking to work, carpooling, and taking public transportation. Incentivizing these strategies will further entice them to make the change.
Be flexible about work arrangements
Simply because people show up to work, doesn’t always mean they’re working. The toll of waking up early, preparing food, and commuting can bog employees down and reduce their productivity. By allowing them the freedom to try working from home, you could potentially be helping them save money and effort on laundry, food, and commuting. This also helps reduce traffic congestion and vehicle pollution.
Make the most of digital signatures
Rather than having to print everything out just to affix a signature onto them, it’s best to create a digital signature instead. You can sign everything electronically so as to save on resources, effort, and space.
Optimize your thermostat
A smart thermostat can help regulate your office space’s temperature and keep it at an optimal level. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that you set your thermostat at a temperature between 68 and 76 F.
Use a power strip
No matter how many times you remind your staff to unplug all electronic devices before they leave the office, there will always be someone who’s bound to forget. The easiest way to expedite this process is to provide power strips that multiple devices can use, which only requires a few people to remember to unplug the main strip to plug everything out.
Provide reusable utensils
Rather than having to constantly buy single-use plastic utensils in the office, it’s much easier to provide reusable ones for everyone to use. Don’t forget to supply cleaning materials too. You can also encourage people to bring their own.
Switch to LED bulbs
LED light bulbs use around 25% to 80% less power than incandescent bulbs. They also last much longer.
There’s no better time than now to start making the green change. Your office and company will be better for it.
