Environmental concerns are never far from the news nowadays. With global warming, energy and waste management at the forefront, there’s never been a better time to try and go green. Office spaces can be quite energy-intensive, but there are a few tips you can follow to make a greener space.
#1 Replace paper with Software
The paperless office is no longer a figment of future imagination. Nowadays it’s possible to go nearly, or in some cases completely, paperless. Software is the answer. You can use software to automate nearly all processes including payroll and customer services, dramatically reducing the need for paper.
Contract lifecycle management is an excellent example of this. By using management software, you can monitor contracts automatically. This includes when they’re going out of date, whether they comply with all the latest regulations, and much more. That, of course, means less crosschecking between physical copies, helping the office save paper. Elsewhere, try to replace printing with sharing via the cloud and always recycle any paper that is used.
#2 Switch to Energy Saving Devices
These take many forms. Energy saving bulbs are the most well-known, and they’ll save more than energy. Such bulbs last longer and light the office using less energy, so they’re substantially cheaper than traditional models. Energy saving devices don’t end there, though. Installing a thermostat works wonders. It ensures that the heating is only turned on when it’s actually required, and the room has dropped to a certain temperature. That, again, lowers bills as well as saving energy. Wall and draught insulation save energy as well, and some offices go even further. Installing solar panels on the roofs allows you to generate your own clean, fully green electricity.
#3 Use Eco-Friendly Supplies
This applies to both furniture and supplies. Everything from ink cartridges to pencils and paper clips can be recyclable. That keeps rubbish out of landfill and lowers your carbon footprint since you aren’t paying for items to be manufactured from scratch. The same applies to furniture. Eco-friendly desks and chairs are made from renewable and recyclable materials. These are often much cheaper than you expect and ergonomically designed to give your office space an organic, airy feel. The more research you do, the more likely you are to discover that nearly every aspect of the office environment can be green.
#4 Bring in the Plants
It might seem like a small change, but bringing plants into the office has a range of advantages. Plants help to purify the air and they have known psychological benefits. Office plants are proven to increase feelings of wellbeing, decrease anxiety, and even help to lower stress levels in the workforce. They’ll also give everybody a green focus, helping to crystallize your eco efforts into something tangible. Plants aren’t difficult to look after. Low maintenance plants only need to be watered once per week (even less in winter) and most can cope with a little neglect.
