How to go green in the office

David Attenborough’s recent stark warnings on plastic pollution and climate change have inspired a new wave of eco-minded campaigns, including a determination to ban plastics from everyday use.

It could mean the last straw for plastic consumerism but it’s also a call for forward-thinking professionals to go green in the office.

To help you get started, here are five ways to make your office more eco-friendly and efficient.

Yes to Paper Cuts

Ouch, not real ones! Every office was supposed to be paperless many moons ago yet still we cling on to post-it notes, notepads and mountains of files.

Did you know corrections, revisions, and updates on printed documents contribute to 90% of all office waste?

Lead the charge for digital and promote a campaign for keeping files on safe servers, not in space-wasting filing cabinets.

The Green Team

Persuade HR to ditch the paint-ball boot camps. Instead, form Green Teams whose mission is to work together on sustainability projects to improve office efficiency and help the planet. Have a monthly prize for the Team that comes up with the most innovative recycling programme.

No Plastic is Fantastic

It doesn’t matter whether you’re PA to the CEO or the new office admin assistant, it takes courage to say no. No to disposable coffee cups. No to plastic cutlery. No to bottled water. There’s no reason your office can’t have personal mugs and cutlery and fresh drinking water on tap. Be bold: ban the plastic!

Turned on by Switching Off

Turning off electronic devices and lights every evening, and twiddling the thermostat down a notch, are the easiest ways to save your company’s utility bills and cut carbon. If part of your role is to take care of office stock, when it’s time to replace hardware, recycle the old and invest in more energy-efficient electronics. If you’re not tech-savvy speak to your IT pro or challenge your Green Teams to come up with ideas.

Tanks for Everything

Finally, in honour of World Oceans Day this Saturday 8th of June, as well as introducing pot plants why not invest in a fish tank? Not only is watching our finned friends a therapeutic stress-buster, it will be a talking point for visitors.

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Posted on May 13, 2019