Employees want to return to a workplace that values sustainability and the health of their workers. Companies are increasingly adopting sustainable practices in the office to create eco-friendly workspaces. A clean, green office setting drives employee engagement and productivity. With a few product swaps and conscious habits, your workplace can become more eco-friendly and welcoming.
Encourage Office Recycling and Composting
Communicate your recycling goals with your staff and offer incentive programs to further encourage employees to recycle. In addition to recycling, offer compost bins to decrease waste in the workplace. Make it easy for employees by placing recycling bins in prominent locations around the office. Clearly label all of your bins to make sure all of your employees can correctly dispose of their waste.
Switch to Eco-friendly Product Solutions
Businesses use a lot of different supplies to run effectively. By opting for environmentally conscious options, you can decrease waste and save money. From paperless notebooks to compostable trash bags, there are endless green product options to choose from. Refillable products, such as soap or pens, are another great option to decrease plastic waste. Traditional cleaning products can have a negative impact on the environment. Consider switching to biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners to improve the air quality and decrease possible water pollution.
Go Digital
Most of the paper printed in your office gets thrown away at the end of the day. To increase your organization's operating efficiency, switch to paperless billing and digital filing systems. With an abundance of digital storage solutions available, your company can find the best option to reduce paper waste. You’ll also save money on printing supplies like printer ink or toner.
Develop Reuse Initiatives
Although disposable cups and silverware seem like convenient options, they create a lot of unnecessary waste. Bottled water may also be increasing your company’s carbon footprint more than you realize. Encourage employees to bring reusable coffee mugs, water bottles, and food containers to combat single-use waste.
Incentivize Green Commuting Methods
Transportation has a significant impact on carbon emissions. While commuting is a necessary part of life, there are ways your company can help decrease your employee's carbon footprints. There are several online collaborating and video conference tools that can be used to reduce employee travel. If remote or hybrid work is not an option, encourage your staff to carpool or use public transportation and offer incentives for doing so. Install bike racks to make it more accessible for your staff to bike to work.
Explore Renewable Energy Options
The most significant way to increase your office’s sustainability is to install renewable energy systems. Investing in renewable energy solutions decreases your office’s energy usage and carbon footprint. Green power sources, like solar and wind energy, are becoming more accessible and competitively priced compared to traditional electricity plans.
Introduce Office Plants
To create a green office environment, add some indoor plants to the office and encourage your staff to keep one on their desk. Indoor plants help improve air quality by releasing oxygen and reducing indoor pollution by absorbing toxins. Office plants can even reduce stress, improve mood, and increase productivity.
Looking for more ways to keep your office safe & green? Let Bayside help! With our eco-friendly cleaning solutions, we can help your employees feel safe and improve productivity. Contact us today to learn more!
