As a business owner, you may try to practice what you preach when it comes to living a sustainable life. This can be done through a number of steps, such as going green or switching to renewable energy. But there are more ways to practice sustainable living in your place of work than that. Here is the ultimate guide to going green in your office.
Go green in the office: Keep it in the ground
Our first step on the road to going green in the office is to reduce, reuse and recycle. The recent findings of the 2017 Climate Change Performance Index by CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) shows that in total, companies are responsible for generating 49 percent of global GHG emissions. We need to keep it in the ground. Of the 3.7 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) that are emitted worldwide each year, only 0.6 gigatons have been stored as of 2015. This amount is not enough. In order to remain below the 1.5-degree global temperature increase threshold, we need to stop burning fossil fuels and store that CO2 where it will stay for good. This means stopping the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. Doing so will take time and financial investment.
Reduce waste
Although there are many tips on how to practice sustainability in your business, one of the most important steps is to avoid overconsumption of resources. This includes reducing waste and helping to recycle as much as possible.
Another important way to practise sustainability and go green in your office is by reducing the amount of energy you use. Here are a few tips to help make a positive difference in your office: Lower usage by switching to energy-efficient lighting, from fluorescent to LED lights, or by installing modern air-conditioning systems. Install energy-saving lights, motion sensors, or smart power strips. Read more about how you can save energy in the workplace here.
Reusable water bottles
If you are someone who has had problems with running out of water during the day, you can switch to reusable water bottles. These reusable bottles keep a large amount of liquid and are great for on-the-go people. The best part about this is that you can reuse them, as opposed to buying a new one every time. However, there is a need to be careful about the type of material you choose. One of the problems with plastic water bottles is that they create a lot of waste for people to pick up, which will cost them money in the long run. Re-using the same water bottle means using a lot of water and there is a chance that the water will not be safe to drink. If you can manage, it would be a good idea to go for the glass version of the reusable water bottle.
Keep your office stocked with sustainable products
Let’s get one thing straight, not everything you want to make a lasting impression needs to be organic or 100% fair-trade. However, you can still do your bit for the environment by purchasing sustainably sourced products that don’t harm the environment. For example, you can switch to using compostable disposable cutlery and drinking cups. When these products break down in the trash, they will instead decompose and become fertilizer.
Not all sustainable products are cheaper than their non-sustainable counterparts. Plus, invest in sustainable products are worth the price. All in all, you should always think about the cost and use the products with an intention of keeping the environment green and healthy.
Conclusion
This guide is a basic summary of what to do and what not to do when it comes to going green for businesses. The fact is that going green can be as simple as flipping a switch. But that switch doesn’t always get flipped on the first try. We hope we have equipped you with a few helpful suggestions that may help you and your business go green in your office or workplace, or you might say, make the flipping of switch a little bit easier and more regular.
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