Newsletter
April 2021 Newsletter
Sustainability in the Workplace
If you run a small business, you may have noticed a shift towards a more sustainable way of working in the past 12 months. This is likely due to staff working from home, less commuting, and less outgoings associated with running a large office space.
To further tighten your sustainability strategy, here are some helpful ways that you can reduce your environmental impact as we collectively strive for sustainability in the workplace.
- Encourage the Work from Home Movement
Working from home has proven to be positive for many businesses, particularly as we have harnessed the flexibility of virtual meetings. While many employees missed the comradery of working in a communal space, many also found that their energy consumption reduced drastically. Likewise, with less commuting, our contribution to green gas emissions has also reduced. Two key positives for the environment.
- Reduce your Water Use
For sole traders and small businesses in the trade sector, by shifting to a water saving approach, you can heavily reduce your water wastage. Using high-efficiency pressure washers for those in the trade sector will save both time and water. A win-win for you and your clients.
In any office space, taps, toilets and plumbing can be checked for leaks and efficiency to reduce wastage.
See more water saving tips here.
- Go Paperless
Some of the ways we can reduce our paper and printer use is to limit printing to only essential items. This can be achieved by opting for digital invoicing, receipts, presentations and more. Encourage staff to bring laptops to meetings or share content onscreen rather than providing a handout to each staff member. When you do print, opt for recycled paper and reuse this in the office where you can.
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Seek suppliers and services who run their business in a sustainable manner. In the office or within your business, you can reduce your electronic wastage by donating electrical devices to charities instead of allowing them to go to landfill each time you upgrade your landlines, computers, printers and devices.
Learn more about recycling in the workplace here.
Sustainable work practices are positive for team morale as it inspires a commitment to positive change and improved work practices. When these practices are implemented in the workplace, they will likely filter through into the home also. A double win for the environment.