A unique sustainability program for schools and colleges. To view our site click here

Friday 4 May 2012

5 Quick Tips for Improving Your Workplace Environmental Impact

Taking steps to create an environmentally friendly atmosphere at home is a great way to make a contribution to the growing need for the reduction of our negative environmental impact and is often the first step in the right direction. The important point to remember is our efforts shouldn’t stop at home; we can all extend our influence by instilling positive, eco-friendly habits in the workplace too.

Whether you are part of a business built for one, or a towering office block, becoming environmentally friendly can be simple and cost effective. Creating a greener workplace will reduce the company’s carbon footprint, save money and create a happy, healthy place for employees to go about their daily duties.

Here are some simple tips for improving your workplace environmental impact:

1. Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
We no longer need to sacrifice a thorough clean by opting for cleaning products that won’t harm our environment; in fact, some eco-friendly cleaning agents have been proven to achieve a better clean that standard products. Ask your professional cleaner about an eco-friendly range which will be safer for staff and our environment.


2.  Implement an energy saving plan.
Get the whole team on board with an energy saving plan. Simple steps like using power saving features on computers and keeping air-conditioning units on a neutral level will save money with the monthly electricity bill and reduce unnecessary energy waste. There could be small bonuses for reductions in energy usage to keep motivation levels up with staff.




3.  Reduce paper waste.
Reducing paper waste goes further than cutting down on printing; we can also find ways to reduce the use of disposable paper towels too. Installing a quality hand drying system is an effective way to achieve this goal. The Dyson Airblade hand Dryer has been proven to be the most effective, eco-friendly and hygienic dryer on the market. Although the Airblade requires a one off payment and energy usage, it will eradicate the need for ongoing paper towel stockage while reducing paper waste, rubbish and tree felling.






4.  Cut down or remove paper & foam cups.
Take your own coffee mug to work rather than using foam cups which are harmful to the environment, slow to degrade and quick to fill the rubbish bin. Rinsing your coffee mug after each use instead of throwing a disposable away will make a big difference in the long run.

5.  Buy organic and fair trade coffee beans and tea.
This is an easy way to help the environment and fair trade beans can result in a nicer brew too! There is now a great variety of fair trade food products available to choose from and you can rest easy knowing your coffee or tea was produced the right way.

6.  Implement a thorough recycling plan.
Although most companies tend to recycle a certain amount of their waste, there are usually areas that could be improved. For example, provide separate bins for plastic bottles and cans to avoid them ending up in a general rubbish bin. Ensure all paper waste is sent to a paper bin and have them emptied regularly. Old electronics and phones that cannot be reused or resold should be disposed of via an electrical recycling plant.

Completing the above steps will cost very little time, effort and money to implement, all while making a sizable difference to the environment. Eco-friendly systems should be reviewed biannually to asses any needs for improvement and to ensure the procedures are being followed adequately. Pulling together as a team will definitely make the process a breeze and maybe even a little bit fun too. Good luck!

(Source: solar-power-your-home.com)

1 comment:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete