We should all do our part for the planet, both at home and where we work. If you want to make a difference in the environment, making changes in your workplace can have a big impact. Most businesses have a set of values that align with operating a green and sustainable workplace, but few have a clear pathway to success in establishing an eco-friendly working environment. Here are seven ways that your workplace can go green and become more sustainable.
1. Create a “Green Team”
If you want your workplace to be eco-friendly, it’s important that you have buy-in from both management and staff. Create a company “Green Team” that will work together to raise awareness, come up with eco-friendly solutions for your business, and then educate the rest of your staff on its ongoing efforts. Your company’s Green Team can also hold contests and monthly challenges for such things as recycling and submitting new ideas to the committee.
2. Update Your Company’s Mission Statement
To create a true change at your workplace, you should incorporate your new eco-friendly commitment into your company’s mission statement. A mission statement tells people what your business hopes to accomplish and it also outlines your company’s values. Include your business’ new commitment to environmental responsibility in its mission statement for the greatest impact.
3. Educate Employees on Recycling
Make a concerted effort to educated all employees on your company’s new recycling plan. There are many items that can be recycled and reused that shouldn’t end up in landfills. These include appliances, batteries, electronics, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), toner, paper, and carpet.
4. Embrace Energy-Efficient Solutions
One of the best ways that your business can become more eco-friendly is to switch to energy efficient solutions. If your company uses any kind of appliances, look for options that are Energy Star-rated. You also now have greener options to power your business, office, and its operations with solar and wind energy. Nearly every electricity supplier today offers green energy plans that give customers energy produced from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
5. Use Recycled and Recyclable Office Products
Your business can reduce its impact on the environment by making smarter choices in the office products that it uses. Some office products are made from sustainable materials. These greener choices will reduce the amount of waste that your company has to send to a landfill.
6. Choose Suppliers Wisely
Your company can also make an eco-friendly shift by putting more thought into who it uses as suppliers and vendors. Using local sources for supplies can cut down or eliminate the environmental impact of shipping. Also, choosing suppliers whose values align with your own green outlook can help promote your program. One way to do this is to look for businesses that have certifications such as Fair Trade, Green Business, and B Corp.
7. Go Paperless
While it’s one thing to begin using recycled paper for your business, it’s a far better solution to get rid of paper altogether. Adobe reports that 90% of office waste comes from updates, revisions, and corrections on printed documents. Using digital means to share and edit materials can eliminate this waste. Your company can also encourage customers and suppliers to accept paperless billing statements, and you can eliminate the use of paper in advertising campaigns.
Being more eco-friendly at work is not only the right thing to do, but it can also save your company some cash. Embracing energy-saving solutions, recycling programs, and paperless systems are just a few of the ways that your business can both save the planet and boost your company’s bottom line results.