Environmental responsibility isn't only an issue for big business and large corporations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can also play their part. Here are seven ways to make your office greener.
1. Look After Lighting
Out with incandescent, in with fluorescent. Energy saving light bulbs are the way to go. Change all the lights in the office and not only will you be helping the environment but you will save money. Although energy savers have a higher up-front price tag, they last for years, slashing your budget for replacing them. Use task lighting so you only light areas where it's necessary and implement a 'lights-out' policy to encourage employees to turn off the lights - and other equipment - as they leave at the end of the day.
2. Hydrate
Providing an in-house water cooler means that your employees won't have to buy plastic bottles of water to bring to work. That means fewer bottles going into landfill. And you can also avoid waste - and improve office air quality - by placing a large plant near the water cooler and watering it with the contents of the drip tray.3. Transportation
Lead by example and reduce the eco-load of your daily commute. If possible, use public transport or cycle into work, or work from home a couple of days a week. Even if you need a car, try carpooling so that there are fewer cars on the road. That will cut greenhouse gas emissions from your commute.
4. Recycling
Make the 3Rs part of company policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing and disposal. You'd be surprised what you can recycle - paper, newspapers, drink containers and even electronic equipment and batteries.
5. Energy Saving at the Desk
Just like home electronics, office electronics use energy even in standby mode. Use the power management settings on your computer to save energy and unplug laptops when you can. To help with turning everything off at the end of the day, plug your computer and peripherals into a single power strip and make it a habit to unplug that when you leave.
6. Raise Awareness
Help your employees to take environmental responsibility from the office to their home by providing information on initiatives they can take part in. An office noticeboard is a great place to let people know about community recycling schemes, electric cars, how to compost and more.
7. Reward Innovation
Encourage employees to come up with new ways to save energy around the office and reward them when they do. This will keep everyone in an eco-conscious frame of mind.
Sharon Hurley Hall likes to do her bit for the environment. Today she's writing for Eden Springs, the UK's No.1 water cooler rental company.
