11 Quick Tips to Make Your Business More Sustainable
As a business owner or employee, you may be looking for ways to make your office more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Whether you're aiming to reduce your carbon footprint or simply want to positively impact the planet, there are plenty of small changes you can make that can add up to a big difference.
Our 11 quick tips to make your office more sustainable
Use recycled materials whenever possible
When you're buying office supplies, look for products made from recycled materials. From paper to ink cartridges, many items you use every day can be made from recycled materials. These products are often just as good as their non-recycled counterparts, and they help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
2. Go paperless and use digital as much as possible
In this day and age, there's no need to print out every document. Try to use digital files and systems as much as possible. Not only does it reduce the amount of paper you use, but it also saves space and money. If you do need to print something out, try to print double-sided to minimise paper use.
3. Advocate for sustainable policies in your industry or sector
If your business is part of a larger industry or sector, try to advocate for sustainable policies and practices. You can join industry groups or organisations that promote sustainable practices, or you can simply voice your concerns and ideas to others in your field. Small changes can add up, and if enough people start advocating for sustainability, it can make a big difference.
4. Measure your carbon footprint and set energy reduction targets.
It's essential to know how much of an impact your office has on the environment. By measuring your carbon footprint, you can identify areas where you can make changes and set targets for reducing energy use. There are many tools available online that can help you calculate your carbon footprint, and they can be a great starting point for making your office more sustainable.
5. Ensure all team members shut computers down at the end of the day
One of the easiest ways to reduce your energy use is to make sure that all team members shut down their computers at the end of the day. Leaving computers on overnight or on weekends wastes energy and can add up to a lot of unnecessary energy use over time. Make it a policy in your office to shut down computers and other electronics when they're not in use. You could also implement time switches in your office so everything turns off overnight.
6. Use energy-efficient equipment
When you're buying new equipment for your office, look for energy-efficient models. Energy star-certified products are an excellent place to start, as they use less energy than non-certified models. Energy-efficient equipment not only saves energy, but it can also save you money on your energy bills.
7. Assess your team's commuting emissions, offer a cycle-to-work scheme or a work-from-home schedule
The commute to and from work can be a major source of emissions for many businesses. Consider assessing your team's commuting emissions and offering alternatives such as a cycle-to-work scheme or working from home. Not only can this reduce emissions, but it can also improve productivity and employee satisfaction. Win-Win!
8. Change your office to run on renewable energy
If possible, consider changing your office to run on renewable energy, this could be relatively simple by just switching your provider to a renewable energy company such as good energy or octopus energy. Or you could go a step further and install solar panels or a wind turbine that generates your own clean energy and reduces your reliance on fossil fuels. While it may require an upfront investment, switching to renewable energy can save you money on energy bills in the long run.
9. Bulk buy office items to minimise waste
Buying office supplies in bulk can be a great way to reduce waste and save money. Buying in bulk is often cheaper whilst reducing the amount of packaging generated. Consider buying in bulk for items such as paper, printer ink, tea, coffee, and office snacks.
10. Use an environmentally friendly bank
Believe it or not, the bank you use can also have an impact on the environment. Look for a bank that prioritises sustainability and invests in environmentally friendly initiatives. Some banks even offer eco-friendly credit cards that donate a portion of your spending to environmental causes.
11. Give back to the local community
Finally, consider giving back to the local community in a sustainable way. You can volunteer with local environmental and social organisations or donate to causes that promote sustainability. You can also organise community clean-up events or support local businesses that prioritise sustainability.
Implementing these 11 quick tips can make your office more sustainable and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet. While it may seem overwhelming to make big changes, remember that small actions can add up to make a big impact. So start by making one or two changes and build from there. Your employees, customers, and the environment will thank you for it.
If you would like any help implementing these points, please feel free to get in touch. We would love to hear from you.