A sustainable office is a space in which work materials are recycled, consumption is reduced and a second life is given
The best celebration of World Earth Day, which we commemorate today, is to take into consideration the sustainability of our offices. We are increasingly aware of the importance of implementing sustainable practices, which will not only help to respect the environment but will also reduce our company’s expenses.
Here are a few tips to transform your traditional workspace into an eco-friendly office.
1. Natural light in your sustainable office
If your office enjoys good lighting naturally, you should definitely take advantage of it as much as possible. It will mean a significant reduction in energy expenditure and improve the work environment. Numerous studies, such as that of Lancaster University, indicate that natural light increases worker satisfaction and productivity.
2. Reduce paper usage
On many occasions, the use of paper in offices becomes inevitable, but we can implement small tricks that will reduce its consumption.
Here are a few:
- Program printers to two-sided printing.
- Use recycled paper with chlorine-free compounds.
- Reuse sheets of paper with a printing error to take notes.
3. Limit the use of heating and air conditioning
Finding the perfect temperature to everyone’s liking is tricky, but it’s important to raise awareness of the negative impact that overuse of air conditioning and heating has on the environment.
The main recommendation is to have an efficient air conditioning system, which reduces energy expenditure. Ideas such as allowing a casual dress code in the summer months can also be considered. It will all depend on the culture of the company.
4. Saves energy
A sustainable office requires small actions in our day-to-day life in favour of reducing energy consumption. Here are some ideas:
- Turn off computers and leave them in sleep mode when they are not in use.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs
- Set reminders to turn off switches when leaving spaces.
5. Local Food Suppliers
If you have a kitchen or break room in your office, we suggest hiring local food suppliers. It’s a great way to support businesses in our area, while reducing the carbon footprint in the supply chain.
6. Recycle
It sounds obvious, but in some offices the recycling method is confusing. We must make this task easier for our employees to the point that it becomes automatic. Therefore, creating simple and effective recycling stations is one of the priorities when executing a sustainability plan.
7. Eliminate the use of plastic packaging
Removing traditional plastic bottles and instead consuming recycled plastic bottles can be a big change. We can also remove plastic or cardboard cups from the coffee area and encourage employees to bring their own cups or thermoses to the office.
8. Energy Saving Certifications
When purchasing new office equipment, it is important to pay attention to energy labelling. This should be a major factor when deciding, as we will save energy and protect the environment.
9. Multifunctional devices
An example of a multifunctional device would be a printer that also allows scanning and photocopying documents. It is a more sustainable option than having a device for each function. These appliances consume less energy than individual machines.
An example of a multifunctional device would be a printer that also allows scanning and photocopying documents. It is a more sustainable option than having a device for each function. These appliances consume less energy than individual machines.
10. Digitize your agenda
This section is closely related to paper reduction. Nowadays we have at our disposal all kinds of applications to organize our daily agenda and task management. Post-it notes and agendas have been left behind. This is a great way to improve your team’s synchronization and work organization.
At Ibercenter we take into account all these tips to create a sustainable office. We hope you find them useful and can contribute to creating more sustainable workspaces. We have flexible office spaces in the Salamanca neighborhood, you can’t miss it.
