Kan Dail
Sustainability in the workplace refers to operating the business with little to no negative environmental impact. Many companies, including industry giants, continuously try to go green, and others follow the lead. If you have not adopted this approach yet, now is the time to join the bandwagon because your company will get several benefits from this.
Benefits of a sustainable business
- Helps save the environment. Saving the environment is sustainability’s primary purpose, whether at work, home, or any setting. We only have one world, and everyone should do their part in taking care of it. Going green is your company’s way of doing this. It will also keep the business going, preventing the depletion of supplies or materials you need for your operation.
- Lowers the business cost. Some strategies in making the workplace sustainable also help decrease business expenses. For instance, it could lower electric and water bills, benefiting the company’s cash flow. In addition, you could use the money you save in other areas to help the business grow.
- Improves your brand. Going green gives your company a positive image. Plus, it helps strengthen credibility, so people are more likely to trust you.
- Helps get more clients. Besides the quality of your products or services, your good deeds also catch customers’ attention. They are more likely to do business with you if they see your efforts in making a difference to the people or the environment.
- It attracts the right employees. Many people would also want to be part of a company that cares for the environment. If you do this, they will have the impression that you take good care of your employees. Finally, they would want to be part of a business that has this culture. One that does not just focus on making money but also on giving back.
- Good for employees’ health. Taking care of the environment ultimately positively impacts everyone, including your employees. Since one of its effects is the prevention of harmful gases or pollution, your staff will breathe fresher air, thus keeping them healthy. Therefore, it will prevent sickness and absences.
There are simple things you can do to make your business sustainable. Adopt these little changes until you foster the company’s green culture.
Involve your employees
Include everyone in the company in your effort to go green. Educate them about its importance and the measures to take to achieve this. Have a meeting to disseminate the information. Send emails and post reminders around the office to keep them aware of this purpose. Moreover, encourage them to send their ideas on further improving your ways of making the workplace sustainable.
Add plants indoors
Carbon dioxide is a gas that can be dangerous in high concentrations as it can cause poisoning. It may also cause various health issues, such as increased blood pressure, breathing difficulties, dizziness, and headache. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thus preventing the said problems. Moreover, they are proven to affect workers positively. Plants can lower stress levels, increase productivity, boost creativity, and promote better health. It benefits the business as employees can work efficiently and fast.
Repurpose, reuse, and recycle
You don’t have to keep buying new things because there are office items that you can still reuse or repurpose. For example, instead of using disposable plastic cups and spoons, invest in non-disposable ones, or ask your employees to bring their own. Before disposing of items, check which are recyclable to prevent ending in the landfill. For instance, you can bring old batteries and computers you no longer use to a recycling facility like langleyrecyclingkc.com. You can earn extra money from this, which you can use in your green projects at work. In addition, you can bring all other scrap metals from the office to this facility and turn your trash into cash.
Buy only the items that you need
If you need to buy something, avoid getting more than what you need. It will prevent supplies from going to waste and increase your expenses. Instead, make a proper inventory to determine the right amount of items to buy. It will ensure you have what you need for the business operation without unreasonably shedding cash.
Go paperless
Papers are part of a traditional office setup. Going paperless means you can save money from buying papers, which is good for the environment as it preserves natural resources used for production. If you can’t go completely paperless, at least minimize the use. For example, do as many tasks as possible online, like filling up applications. It can also make the process more convenient for clients because they can do it anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. Another way is to save records on the computer or cloud.
Consider hybrid setup
Be flexible with the work setup, and let employees work from home on some days and in the office on other days. As long as they can do their job efficiently, working remotely lowers carbon footprints as they don’t have to commute to work.
Encourage carpooling
Carpooling is another way to lower carbon monoxide emissions, as fewer cars will be on the road. Encourage employees to share a car with officemates. You may also offer a company service vehicle to pick them up at specific points. It will also help employees save on their transportation expenses.
Buy from local suppliers
The distance of transporting supplies from one point to another affects the cost. The farther the distance, the higher the price due to the expenses involved, including the fuel. Plus, it also adds to carbon emissions. Therefore, purchasing from local suppliers is good for the environment because of the short travel time, and it also saves money since they are generally cheaper. Plus, it helps the local economy thrive.
Use energy-efficient technology
Switching to energy-efficient technology benefits the environment and helps you save money in the long run. Examples are energy-efficient computers, lights, and appliances.
Take the first step in going green, and be consistent with your effort. Eventually, you will realize your goal of making your business sustainable and reap the benefits of your work.