The modern workplace, whether a large commercial office or a home office, is a significant source of energy consumption and waste. This is due to its reliance on constant power, equipment turnover and paper, packaging and food waste.
A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by a person or organisation. Although workplace swaps may seem minor, they offer a massive opportunity to have a collective impact on a workplace’s cartoon footprint. Sustainability isn’t about huge investments, but about simple, conscious choices that collectively have a huge impact, the following 4 swaps can be easily implemented by organisations and employees.
Investing in High-Quality Furniture
Furniture manufacturing commonly uses non-renewable materials and processes that contribute towards deforestation or high-carbon emissions. When purchasing or upgrading office furniture opt for pieces made from recycled materials that are built to last, especially for ergonomic chairs and desks.
Prioritising furniture that is well-made and designed with longevity in mind is crucial in a workplace as these furniture pieces will be used on a daily basis. Well-made and durable furniture pieces are typically the most sustainable choice as they last much longer than poorly made furniture and do not need to be replaced as frequently.
Furthermore, investing in ergonomic furniture is crucial as it reduces the likelihood of employee injuries, improving well-being. Not only can non-ergonomic furniture result in immediate discomfort, but it also lacks durability which can lead to workplaces having to replace their furniture more frequently. This can contribute to landfill waste and increase a workplace’s consumption of resources.
Making Recycling a Workplace Priority
Recycling contamination is a common problem that can often result in entire batches of recycling being sent to landfills. Contamination refers to when unclean recycling items are placed in recycling bins, contaminating other items and preventing whole loads from being recycled.
In order to prevent contamination, it is crucial that recycling is rinsed off and left to dry before it is placed in a recycling bin. Recycling contamination can also occur when the incorrect items are placed in the wrong recycling bin. It is therefore important to educate employees on the correct recycling practices in order to improve recycling practices.
To improve recycling and waste management in the workplace it’s a good idea to clearly label or colour-code bins so they can be easily identified by employees. Furthermore, placing bins in high-traffic areas and at multiple points around the workplace will encourage employees to dispose of their waste properly.
Switching to Energy-efficient Lighting
Traditional incandescent or fluorescent lighting has a huge drain on energy consumption in a workplace. In addition, not only do traditional light bulbs have poor energy efficiency but they also generate unnecessary heat, making them a fire hazard.
Replacing all non-LED light bulbs with modern LED lighting can go a long way in creating a more energy efficient and safe working environment. LED light bulbs provide immediate energy efficiency, with up to an 80% reduction in energy usage, and a far longer lifespan. Although it can be costly initially to invest in LED lighting, over time you will see regular savings and reduced energy usage.
Smart lighting controls or simple timers can be used in conjunction with LED lighting systems. This can help to improve energy efficiency as you are able to control workplace lighting remotely or on a timer setting, so they automatically turn off when left on accidentally in meeting rooms or storage spaces.
Preserving Workplace Resources
Although the majority of workplaces are now fully digital some still heavily rely on non-reusable resources. Paper production, ink cartridges, printer energy and unsustainable packaging drain resources unnecessarily.
Workplaces should commit to a digital-first workflow for all kinds of documentation and filing. This can involve using cloud-based storage tools that provide easy accessibility and robust disaster recovery if laptops or computers break.
It can be difficult for workplaces to fully switch to a digital-first workflow, but even minor changes can make a huge difference. If printing is unavoidable in the workplace, then it can be beneficial to set all printers in the office to double-sided printing and greyscale, to minimise resources used.
Furthermore, using unsustainable packaging can produce unprecedented amounts of landfill waste. As 11 billion items of packaging waste are produced annually in the UK it is crucial that businesses switch to using eco-friendly packaging to reduce this waste.
Minor changes in workplace habits can make a big difference to your office’s environmental impact. Focus on simple swaps like using energy-efficient lighting, investing in high-quality furniture, prioritising a digital-first workflow and encouraging recycling. By taking these easy steps, workplaces can play an important role in cutting their carbon footprint and supporting a more sustainable future.
