Different factors come into play when running a successful business. One of these factors is office organization. An organized work environment enhances employee productivity and creates a good impression for the company. Now that environmental awareness is on the rise, companies are challenged to implement eco-friendly practices. There are many ways to keep the workplace organized and clean, and some of them are even obvious and easy to do. However, it can be easy to slip into bad habits especially when there are so many things to accomplish at work.
Below are some simple ways to go green in the office:
Practice Proper Waste Segregation
It is important to know and understand what the different waste categories are, that is, which ones to recycle, reuse, and dispose. Having separate bins for these waste categories and labeling them properly will help employees easily identify where they should throw away waste items for reuse, recycling, or removal. Create a “recycling center” to place the bins in to keep things better organized. Paper recycling boxes may also be placed near printers. Make sure to empty the bins regularly to maintain cleanliness in the workplace.
Promote a Paperless Environment
Going paperless is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste in the office especially in this digital age. With cloud computing, people can store files digitally and then share or edit them without having to print them every time. If using paper cannot be completely avoided, it is still possible to reduce the use of paper by printing on both sides of the sheet before discarding it.
Ditch Single Use Break Room Supplies
Encourage employees to bring their own coffee mugs, refillable water bottles, dishes, and cutlery rather than use disposable ones. Stock-up on bottled condiments instead of single-serve accompaniments like soy sauce, mustard, or ketchup. While such items are small, they add up to a lot of paper and plastic waste.
Create an Organic Waste Recycling Program
Office refrigerators can accumulate forgotten leftovers or discarded food. Setting up a compost bin to accommodate food scraps will help keep compostable items from ending up in the garbage, and eventually in landfills.
Add Plants in the Office
If the break room has a sunny window, set up a mini herb garden where employees can pluck parsley or basil and then sprinkle them on their lunch. As a bonus, having plants in the office can help improve air quality.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Replace traditional incandescent lighting with halogen, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). These energy-efficient alternatives consume less electricity and can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
Encourage Carpooling
Consider providing public transportation stipends or incentives for carpooling. See if the office can be a bike-friendly workplace by arranging storage or parking space for bikes and an on-site shower room.
The above ideas are just some of the practical ways to cultivate a greener office. By starting with these simple practices, a company can be more environment-friendly while saving energy and resources.
