How to Create an Eco-Friendly Workplace

Every single business, no matter how large or how small, has a responsibility to have an eco-friendly workplace. Listed below are some of the things that every place of work can look in to improve their impact on the world.  

Hopefully some of these things are already being done where you work, but if not they’re simple to implement. 

1. Recycling

Every place of work should be recycling to some degree already but if you aren’t you need to start doing so. Things that are easy to recycle at work: 

• Paper / Cardboard (If you have any sensitive documents that need to be shredded find out if a local animal shelter can use the shredded paper as bedding.) 
• Drink Cans 
• Glass bottles 

2. Cleaning Products / Schedule

Whether your staff clean your workplace, or you hire an outside cleaning company, you should be looking at what cleaning supplies you use. 

Being more eco-friendly might mean you reduce how much you spend on a cleaner for your business meaning that any extra cost for eco-friendly cleaning materials is easily outweighed by the savings on wages. 

• Use chemical free / non-toxic cleaning products. 
• Use reusable cloths or rags. 
• Does your workplace really need a deep clean every day? 
• Buy plastic free toilet paper / paper towels for any bathrooms onsite. 

3. Energy Usage

One of the easiest things to do to have an eco-friendlier workplace, and to save your business money, is to ensure that electrical items are switched off when they’re not in use. Replacing items that can’t be repaired with the most energy efficient alternative should always be looked into. 

• Replace all lighting with energy efficient bulbs. 
• Switch things off when not in use (computers at the end of the day, lights in rooms not being used). 
• Buy energy efficient appliances for any staff kitchen you might have. 
• Don’t vacuum every day unless it’s necessary. Once a week is probably ample for a small office. 
• Are you able to fit solar panels? Get them installed. 

4. Stationary

Remember that you should only print things out if you really need to because most documents can be safely stored on your computer (and backed up). Try to avoid sending out letters to customers, use email instead. This will save you money and energy. 

5. Coffee and Water

Get your staff out of the habit of buying plastic water bottles and takeaway coffees by ensuring that you provide water and coffee in the workplace. 

One of the best ideas for your business and your staff is to provide all staff with a reusable water bottle and a reusable coffee cup. Add your company branding to them to spread awareness of your business when your staff are out and about. 

6. Work Events

Office parties and other workplace celebrations can all be eco-friendly with just a little bit of forethought. Make sure that any decorations you buy are reusable. For any new stuff you need to buy make sure to avoid anything that contains plastic. Balloons are a big NO for all occasions! 

7. Got an outdoor space?

• Have a compost heap, if your outdoor space is large enough for one. You can then make sure your office food waste is not going to landfill. 
• Build or buy a bee hotel. 
• Have a log pile for beetles and other insects. 
• Don’t mow all your lawn. Allow it to become a wildflower meadow, or at the very least leave a strip of wildflowers around the edge of the lawn. 
• Put up bird boxes and butterfly boxes. 
• Provide water for birds, insects and other wildlife. 
• If you only have a patio, fill some pots with wildflowers. 

Being an insect and wildlife friendly business is also very beneficial to your staff. Seeing flowers and birds is good for everyone’s general wellbeing. 

8. Flexible working

There are several benefits to allowing your staff to work at home some or all the time. It saves you money in office space and energy usage for a start. It’s better for families. Environmentally you are reducing the need to travel to work (which often includes using transport), so you’re reducing your workplace carbon footprint. If your place of work is suitable to allow staff to work from home, even if that’s only one day a week, then it’s something you should seriously look at. 

At the EcoFairy, our goal is to help you build a more sustainable life by offering you a line of reusable products. We offer products that last and that will help you reduce the amount of plastic you use.   

 

More info on our website: https://www.theecofairy.com