Edited August 2021
Every year, increasing workplace awareness of green practices and minimizing businesses’ impact on the environment is more important to employee satisfaction and the bottom line. From incorporating green office furniture to using non-toxic, recyclable, and organic materials when creating your workspace, the task of going green is more crucial than ever. Though it may seem daunting, there are easy ways to begin the process without breaking a sweat or the bank. Here we have 5 ideas to get you started.
1. Living Plant Walls
Plant walls—also known as vertical gardens—offer a bright green space experience to any modern office. These nice structures add a green element while providing the feeling of being in nature to both employees and clients. Even better, plant walls act as acoustic paneling, absorbing sounds in your busy office.
Ensure your plant wall is located in an area where it will receive good light, has the right types of plants for your work space, and will be well maintained by watering systems or employees.
2. Bamboo Floors
Bamboo has many of the properties of hardwood flooring but is more green since it’s natural. A great renewable resource, bamboo grows faster than most large trees, some of which take more than 20 years to reach maturity.
Bamboo is durable, light, water-resistant, and easy to maintain. All pros for when it comes to designing your green workspace.
>> Add a touch of modernism to your office with height-adjustable desks.
3. Natural Light
Natural light is the No. 1 office perk for today’s modern worker, but sometimes office layouts, or even office ranks, get in the way.
Don’t just let the executives have access to natural light. Instead, find smart ways to let the light in for all workers. Whether that means creating a common space in your office near windows for anyone to work at or adding benches and walking paths outside the office for workers to frequent, let the light in at your modern office.
4. Clean Air
In an office setting, clean air isn’t always available. But there are some easy fixes to this problem.
For starters, make sure all the air vents in your building are open and unblocked, and that the air filters are replaced often. Adding some office plants, keeping the office clean, and maintaining a healthy level of humidity are also a few other ways to improve air quality. But the simplest method is to install an air purifier.
Other than improving the health of your employees, research shows a correlation between higher air quality and an increase in productivity.
Composting the Kitchen Waste
5. Recycling and Composting
Show employees your company cares about the environment and use recycling and composting programs. Set up the big blue cans around the office and make sure employees understand what can and can’t be recycled.
When it comes to composting, place sealable containers in your office kitchen or breakroom. Encourage employees to compost coffee grounds, vegetable wastes, eggshells, tea bags, fruit rinds or peels, and other items. Do some research on compost hauling services in your area, but if there aren’t any, think of other ways to use the material. Is there a community garden in your area that could put it to good use? Do any of your employees want it for their personal gardens?
If both the environment and the workforce are improved with one of these identifiable and affordable steps, why not get started? As you strive to make the office a green office, appoint a dedicated “Green Team” whose purpose is to meet monthly and strategize ways to improve the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
With employees as stakeholders and outcomes like better air and a refreshing environment, you’re sure to see an improvement in your office and your people.
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