We are bombarded on a daily basis with news and conversations related to climate change and being eco-friendly. It is easy to become overwhelmed given all of the information that is out there, and many of us don’t know where to start when it comes to changing our habits and trying to live a little greener and healthier.
Even though many people assume that living consciously is more expensive, it doesn’t have to be and can actually help to save money in the long-run. As with many things in life however, the hardest part is knowing where and how to start.
That’s why we have compiled a list of helpful tips on how to become more eco-friendly in the workplace:
1. Bring your own food to the office
Bringing your own breakfast, lunch and snacks to work helps you save money and it can also be healthier as you are not over-consuming shop-bought calorific lunch options, which often come packaged in wasteful non-recyclable materials.
2. Invest in reusables
Having your own reusable water bottle or coffee cup ensures that whether you are in the office all day or running around for meetings, you won’t be relying on single-use plastic that is usually everywhere and can be very hard to avoid.
3. UNPLUG
It is important to turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use in order to save energy. Of course, at the end of a busy day that’s the last thing on your mind, but it is an essential step towards a greener workplace. Even leaving devices on standby is needlessly using up energy, as well as costing money.
4. Change to eco-friendly LED bulbs
This goes hand in hand with the previous tip, as changing to LED bulbs can help reduce energy expenditure. They are cheaper than regular bulbs and last much longer – a win-win.
5. Decorate the office with plants
Plants are a great addition to any space, whether that be in the office or at home. Encouraging people to bring in desk plants will help to improve the air quality due the oxygen that is produced, and many plants also help to remove toxins from the air, making it a healthier workspace.
6. Recycle, recycle, recycle
This is something many offices are already implementing; however, it is still useful to educate employees on how to do it properly by having different bins with labels such as paper, metal and plastic. Hosting a short, informative workshop can make a massive difference in guiding the team into becoming more environmentally friendly.
7. Encourage alternative commutes to work
Whether it is to encourage walking, cycling, sharing a car or using public transport – choosing an alternative way to get to work can help tremendously in reducing your carbon footprint.
8. Try digitising everything
Many companies have already shifted to becoming paper-free as it is now easier than ever to digitise all data. Instead of printing documents, you can send them via sharing platforms, email or even Whatsapp to help reduce the amount of waste paper produced in the workplace.