Going Green in the Office: Eco-Friendly Tips for Businesses
In today's world, going green isn’t just a trendy catchphrase; it's a necessity for businesses to thrive sustainably. Here at UK for Good, we know that small changes can lead to significant reductions in your environmental footprint.
In this blog, we'll explore some eco-friendly tips that can make your business more environmentally responsible.
Measuring your company’s carbon footprint
Before you embark on ‘green-ifying’ your business, it's essential to know where you currently stand. Measuring your company’s carbon footprint allows you to track your progress as you implement new eco-friendly initiatives.
There are various tools available to help you calculate your carbon emissions, such as the Carbon Trust’s SME Carbon Footprint Calculator. Keeping an eye on these numbers can motivate you to strive for continuous improvement.
Saving energy in the office
Energy conservation is a cornerstone of eco-friendliness. Simple actions, such as switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and minimising the use of air conditioning and heating, can have a big impact. Saving energy not only lessens your carbon emissions but reduces your utility bills too.
Recycling and reusing
Effective recycling programmes and encouraging your employees to reduce waste and repurpose materials are key strategies in greening your office.
Why not designate an ‘upcycle station’, where employees can place unused equipment ready for others to use rather than re-ordering new items? This can reduce waste - and also save you money in the long run.
Minimise paper usage
Did you know that the average office worker in the UK uses up to 45 pieces of paper daily - and a staggering two-thirds of that is considered waste? In the UK, we use over 9.9 million tonnes of paper each year, and it takes 24 trees to make just one tonne of paper.
So it is no surprise that paper consumption in offices is a significant source of environmental impact. Consider adopting digital alternatives and promoting a paperless office culture to reduce your usage. Not only will this save trees, but it will also streamline your operations.
Promote remote work
Remote and flexible working has gained popularity for various reasons, one of them being its positive environmental impact. Without a doubt, allowing employees to work from home reduces commuting and office-related energy consumption. There are lots of great tools that mean you can support remote work and maintain productivity, all while doing your bit for the planet.
Reduce your digital impact
Similarly to our environment, the digital landscapes in which we spend so much of our working hours are also vulnerable to waste. Research shows that if each British adult would abstain from sending out a “Thank you” email (no easy feat for the polite Brits!), we would conserve more than 16,000 tons of CO2 per year - equal to 81,000 flights from London to Madrid.
Mike Berners-Lee (How Bad are Bananas?) comments that whilst the carbon footprint of an email isn't huge it's a great illustration to remind us to be mindful of data storage and server usage. Start by educating your employees about the importance of digital eco-awareness, and see what ways your business can streamline its digital carbon footprint.
Choosing Green Suppliers and Partners
Your eco-friendly priorities should extend beyond your office, and it is vitally important to seek out suppliers and partners who share your commitment to the environment. Establishing these green relationships not only helps your business but also contributes to a more sustainable supply chain.
Encouraging Sustainable Travel
An easy win as an employer is to promote sustainable commuting among your employees whether it is carpooling, public transport or swapping the car for a bike. Initiatives like the Cycle2Work scheme can encourage cycling and reduce the carbon emissions associated with daily commuting. Develop incentives to support these initiatives, and track progress to create a community atmosphere.
Become a B Corp
Consider taking your commitment a step further by becoming a B Corp. B Corp certification means that your business meets high social and environmental standards, and the process of becoming certified can boost your reputation and demonstrate your dedication to eco-friendly practices.
As businesses, we are responsible to the societies we function in, the planet we inhabit - and the future generations. By considering some of these tips, you can create a more sustainable workplace. Going green is not just a choice - but a necessity.
At UK for Good, we can support your B Corp journey. Learn more and enquire to access our B Corp support here.
It's time for businesses to embrace these eco-friendly tips and play their part in creating a greener and more sustainable future.