Did you know a greener office will do the world of good for the environment and wellbeing at work?
It means bringing in more of the outdoors indoors so to speak like more plants, adding natural light.
Research by Greenwich and Sussex universities reveals that businesses with a sustainable and environmental strategy create happier working environments.
We share five simple tips to make your office more eco-friendly.
No. 1. Try cutting down on plastic
The initial step is to try and encourage everyone at the office to avoid single-use plastics – once you highlight the alternatives, it won’t be as hard as you think. Try forbidding the ‘big five’ from the office for a month – plastic bags, straws, cutlery, takeaway coffee cups and plastic water bottles.
No. 2. Plants
Plants are known to improve air quality as they exhale out oxygen and inhale carbon dioxide. So adding a bit of greenery to the office will, of course, make it more environmentally friendly. Creating green spaces can sometimes take up too much office space, why not add a ‘living green wall’, transforming a side of the office into a lush, green haven. Did you know the Harvard study found that green-certified offices get a 26% boost in employee cognition and 30% fewer sickness-related absences?
No. 3. Zero waste
Zero waste is about reducing what you throw away and it not being sent to landfills, the aim is to reuse as much as possible where possible, either by recycling, composting or even sharing what you don’t want. If you don’t want it, try not to bin it, give it away instead. It’s about getting the message out there, and we have to change our behaviour and stop being a throwaway culture.
No. 4. Eco deliveries
If your business is in the capital and they order products or food deliveries, try to get your staff to think about changing to companies that deliver in an eco way, like by e-bike. Not only will this reduce carbon, but they will also be helping improve the air quality in the city. London’s air is toxic due to petrol and diesel transport, causing life-long heart and lung diseases – even in children as the Transport for London’s campaign ‘Let London Breathe’ tells us. It’s an important issue, and if we all do our bit this will bring massive gains in our local environments.
No. 5. Working Home birds
Encourage staff to cycle to work or even work from home. These days more and more companies employ people who work directly from home and attend the office once or twice a week. This is not only beneficial for the environment but also saves on commuter time, which in turn makes for happier staff. Being more flexible can bring massive rewards, as long as the job gets done. This can be a win-win situation for both you and your staff.
Give an enthusiastic employee the role of making it a fun part of daily office life.
