Sustainability has become a must-have principle in today's modernised world. Many companies are interested in the concept but unsure how to start. Most perceive it as a challenging process.
In this blog, we provide simple solutions on how to start incorporating greener practices in your workspace.
Educate & Raise Awareness
The first step to creating a greener office is by educating your employees. Encourage sustainable practices and raise awareness by conducting comprehensive training sessions or workshops for your employees. These sessions should educate them of the importance of green office practices and the massive positive impact of even small changes at a time.
You can also provide resources such as online courses, informative materials, and guest speakers to engage your employees and inspire them to take action. Encourage open discussions and feedback sessions to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This approach will help create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious workplace in which everyone contributes.
Create Flexible Office Setups
Utilise office furniture to create agile and flexible workspaces, that can be quickly and cost-effectively reconfigured to meet the changing demands of businesses, while reducing environmental impact.
How?
One way is to choose moveable and adjustable office furniture and avoid traditional walled offices, which use harmful environmental materials such as plasterboard to build walls and ceilings. Building walls is also very pricey and time-consuming.
A good example would be adding some acoustic office pods to create private areas without the need of building office partitions.
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Another way is to choose rental office furniture rather than purchasing it. This gives you the flexibility to change your mind or design your workspace as many times as you like without any furniture ending up in landfills. It’s a great way to save money, too!
Explore FluidSpace Flex™, the ultimate subscription-based office furniture rental scheme that gives organisations complete flexibility to increase or reduce their furniture on demand.
According to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), over 1.2 million office desks and 1.8 million chairs end up in landfill each year. Renting can massively help reduce these numbers and contribute to carbon footprint reduction.
Optimise Energy Usage
Implement a comprehensive approach to energy management by combining different strategies to optimise energy usage in your office.
Start by upgrading your traditional light bulbs to energy-efficient LED lighting systems and install smart thermostat systems that automatically adjust temperature settings based on occupancy and external conditions.
Use occupancy sensors to control lighting and HVAC systems in unoccupied areas, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Encourage employees to power down computers and other equipment when not in use and promote energy-saving practices such as using natural ventilation whenever possible.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Develop a comprehensive waste management plan that focuses on promoting the Waste Hierarchy Framework.
Conduct waste audits to identify areas for improvement and set specific goals for waste reduction and diversion.
Provide clearly labelled recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass, and organic waste, and implement a system for collecting and processing recyclable materials.
Encourage employees to reduce waste by offering them reusable products such as coffee mugs, water bottles, lunch containers, etc.
Finally offer incentives or recognition programmes to reward employees who actively participate in waste reduction efforts.
Biophilic Workspace Designs
Integrate biophilic design elements into your office space to create an ethical, healthier and more inspiring work environment.
Incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo into furniture and decor to bring the outdoors inside. Here’s an example of a biophilic desk.
Add indoor plants and greenery to improve air quality, reduce stress, and increase productivity.
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Create designated areas for relaxation and rejuvenation, such as green lounges or outdoor seating areas, where employees can connect with nature and recharge during the workday.
Consider factors such as natural light, nature sceneries, and access to outdoor spaces when designing or renovating your office space to promote employee well-being and sustainability.
Companies that encourage sustainability throughout their practices are more trustworthy and have a better reputation. Why not become one of them?
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