22 impactful sustainable business practices you should adopt for the workplace
1. Switch all lighting to LEDs
A simple and effective way for businesses to become more sustainable is by switching
their lighting over to LED (light-emitting diode) lights. These bulbs require less energy,
last longer, and provide a brighter light than traditional bulbs, making it an ideal choice
for businesses wanting to go green. LED lights not only reduce your carbon footprint
but also help to save you money on your energy bill making it an excellent way for
businesses to cut costs whilst being environmentally conscious at the same time.
2. Motion sensors for lighting
Fitting motion sensors into your office ensures lights are only used when needed. This
can help to reduce unnecessary energy consumption in the workplace and also save the
business money on energy bills.
3. Reduce phantom power usage
Phantom power is energy that is consumed by electronic devices whilst they are in
stand-by mode or completely switched off. Sometimes known as vampire power, this
drawing of unnecessary power is a major contributor to wasted energy and is a hidden
cost for businesses.
4. Recycle, recycle, recycle
This tip goes without saying, but making a concerted effort to recycle as much waste
as possible in the workplace can help to reduce the business’ carbon footprint.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to show your commitment to protecting the
environment.
5. Go paperless
The best way to reduce office waste is by not creating any at all. Many businesses are
making the jump to going paperless. By implementing a paperless workflow,
companies can help to save trees, cut costs associated with document storage and
printing, as well as reduce energy consumption from printing equipment. Encouraging
employees to collaborate and work using digital resources is a big step towards
becoming a more sustainable organisation.
6. Eco-friendly printing practices
Sometimes printing documents is just unavoidable. Thankfully, there are ways you can
make printing more sustainable. Investing in new energy efficient printers, buying
remanufactured ink cartridges and introducing double-sided printing policies can go a
long way to reducing the impact your use of paper has on the environment.
7. Hybrid working schemes for staff
Implementing a hybrid working scheme is a great way to improve the work/life balance
of your staff, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of your business. Giving your
staff the opportunity to work from home during the week saves them time and money
on the commute, whilst lowering their carbon emissions. Happier employees and a
lower impact on the environment, what more could you want?
8. Water-saving plumbing fixtures
Low flow toilets, water-saving taps and pressure-reducing valves help minimise water
consumption in your building. Businesses can significantly decrease the amount of
water they waste by improving the efficiency of their plumbing systems by replacing
traditional fixtures with these eco-friendly options, without sacrificing performance or
comfort.
9. Rainwater harvesting system
Rainwater harvesting systems capture and store rainwater in tanks or cisterns and are a
great way to support sustainability in the workplace. This captured water can be used
for a variety of purposes such as watering plants, flushing toilets, and cleaning the
workplace. Implementing a system like this can limit the strain on public water supplies
by reducing water consumption and save the business money on utility bills.
10. Zero waste communal and break areas
Workplaces tend to produce a lot of waste, whether this be paper, plastic, food or
general rubbish. However, many businesses have adopted a zero waste policy in order
to reduce their impact on the environment. Providing reusable mugs and cups to staff,
replacing traditional cutlery and stir-sticks with biodegradable alternatives and
composting food waste are all great ways to ensure waste is minimised across the
workplace.
11. Office composting
Does your workplace produce a significant amount of food waste? An office
composting scheme can be an effective way of reducing your carbon footprint by
encouraging employees to dispose of food scraps in a composting bin. This waste is
then collected and added to local composting piles, or converted into fertiliser.
Ordinarily this waste would be sent to landfill, contributing to further greenhouse gas
emissions. As such, office composting is a useful way of supporting sustainable
practice.