Nowadays, there’s plenty of room to make your office a more environmentally friendly workstation. From adjusting your lighting system to selecting the right office supplies and equipment, you can explore different strategies to foster a greener workplace and help your employees feel good about their work environment, which will make them more productive.
All it takes is some reorganization, teamwork, and a commitment to greener practices, which will eventually provide you with more benefits in terms of cost savings and energy conservation. Check out these five tips to help get you started on incorporating greener advocacy for your workplace:
1. Select Your Trash Bins Wisely
Making your office space more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be a huge task. The first step can be as simple as using the right trash bins. With the help of some eco-friendly office bins, such as a swing-top & office bin, you can easily turn your workplace from toxic to eco-friendly. Plus, you’ll be doing your part for the planet by recycling and reusing materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
2. Place Your Office Trash Bins Where They’re Most Needed
Placing a swing-top & office bin in strategic locations throughout your office helps in capturing waste effectively. Determine which areas of your office require them and which types of bins are required to maximize their functionality.
A recycling trash bin for offices comes in different sizes, shapes, and configurations, each with unique waste-capture functionality. A large office bin, for example, is best suited for lobbies and other public areas where a large number of people gather. A small, swing-top & office bin, on the other hand, is ideal for disposing of waste under or beside office tables where they are easily accessible.
3. Start Using Less Paper and Explore More Digital Alternatives
There are countless ways to reduce paper consumption in the office. This, along with the use of recycling bins, can help in lowering costs and achieving a greener workplace.
When possible, communicate via email, chat, or phone call rather than paper. Internal memos and documents that do not need to be printed on paper are similarly exempt. Another way to save paper is to print on both sides of a sheet of paper and to purchase printers and copiers that can do so. When shopping for office supplies, choose light-weight paper because it has a lower environmental impact. Also encourage your remote employees to select eco friendly workplaces even in cases when they choose to work from coworking spaces or shared offices. For instance, many office spaces in Atlanta are inspiring and energy-efficient which would make them the best option for your employees.
4. Save Energy by Implementing Greener Office House Rules
Recycling and reducing paper waste help to save energy. However, there are other practices that, when implemented regularly, can contribute to a greener workplace.
Turn the computer and lights off in the rooms when not in use, especially in the staff room or washrooms of smaller offices. To reduce plastic and paper waste, you can also encourage employees to use mugs, glasses, dishes, and cutlery instead of disposables and replace cloth towels or hand dryers with paper towels!
5. Avoid Harmful Cleaning Chemicals
Did you know that the air inside your office can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside? That’s because chemicals from industrial cleaners and other products used in cleaning are among the main causes of indoor pollution.
Most office cleaners are made from harmful chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and even cancer. The good news is that there are eco-friendly alternatives to most commercial cleaning products that are just as effective. Use natural cleaners whenever possible. A blend of vinegar, baking soda, and water is an effective cleaner for many surfaces in the office, including windows and floors. For heavier duty jobs, try using a high-pressure washer. This machine uses hot or cold water under high pressure to remove dirt without the need for chemicals.
Takeaway
Small changes over time can help you or your employees work to create a more eco-friendly office space. The path to reducing paper waste, conserving energy, and turning your office from toxic to eco-friendly by implementing recycling bins may appear difficult at first. But everything begins with small steps. With the commitment of you and your team toward these greener workplace strategies, you can save space, time, money, and energy.
Sources:
https://creativeblogcollection.blogspot.com/2021/01/benefits-of-using-pedal-bins.html
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/going-green-ideas-for-the-office-2948097