This month we bring you a very practical list of easy-to-action practices you can implement in the office to become more sustainable right away.
Everything you do to improve the environment is good for business. Think of it as the ‘triple bottom line effect’: It’s good for you, it’s good for the community AND it’s good for the bottom line
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Introduce a ‘TRASH’ cupboard
Think recycling and save hundreds, encourage everyone to empty their drawers of pens, pencils, staplers, hole punch etc. etc. keeping only 1 of everything for their own use
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Reuse stationery
Introduce a stationery ordering system that ensures the trash cupboard has been checked before placing an order
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Introduce a recycling bin system
remove all under desk waste paper bins
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Buy green power
shop around for ethically sourced power and price
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Appoint a ‘Green Team’
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Use a coffee mug and reusable water bottle
instead of paper cups and disposable plastic bottles
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Only use dishwashers when stacked full
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Read reports online
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Buy recycled or sustainably sourced paper
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Refill ink or recycle all printer cartridges
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Install bike racks
and encourage uptake of the tax efficient cycle to work scheme.
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Facilitate payroll deduction
for employees encouraging uptake of public transport discounts
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Set office copier defaults
to print on both sides of paper to reduce paper waste.
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Turn off your computer
at night and unplug the adaptor—even an idle adaptor draws energy.
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Switch off equipment at the end of the day.
Equipment left on stand-by can use up to 30% of in-use power and a computer can use 15W even if it shutdown if it is not switched off at the plug. Remind your colleagues to switch off!
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Turn the heating down!
Even by just 1°C. An office should not be heated above 20°C and a workshop area with physical labour should be no warmer than 12°C. If you feel that you are not getting enough from your heating try getting heat reflective radiator panels (or aluminium foil) to reflect the heat back from the wall behind the radiators into the room.
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Use energy saving light bulbs.
Although with an initial higher cost the bulbs produce the same amount of light but release 70% less CO2 and have a lifespan 5 times longer. Look for the energy efficiency logo.
There are a few to look out for but they guarantee that equipment you are buying will in the long-term save money. Look out for Energy Star logo, European Energy label or Ecolabel on products. -
When looking to buy monitors buy TFT screens.
These use 50% less energy than CRT monitors and are easier to dispose of.
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Go paperless where possible.
Consider if documents/emails etc really need to be printed out, bookmark any web pages you may need instead of printing the pages out, and make notebooks from scrap paper. If you do need to buy paper make sure that is has a recycled content of 75% or above, is chlorine free or at least has been sourced from a sustainably managed forest.
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Buy recycled or recyclable furniture and buy local where possible.
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Have some plants in the office.
Not only do they make the office look nice they also improve the air quality in the room.