From cycling to recycling, here are some green habits your workers could pick up

It’s almost 2022… If you’re not already encouraging your employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices, you need to change this as soon as possible. Climate change is real – regardless of what ‘that’ uncle tries to insist at family gatherings – and we’re running out of time to undo all of the damage that’s already been done.

The gruesome truth is, our remaining carbon budget is tiny… Together, we must do more to reduce our carbon footprint and lead greener lives for the sake of our future generations and for the planet. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do it alone. Here are some green habits your workers could pick up.

 

Only print if it’s really necessary

As your employee heads over to the printer, ask them if what they’re collecting was really necessary to print. This shouldn’t be used as a way to make them feel bad, but instead, a practice that teaches them (and others) the consequences of using the printer needlessly.

For example, a 30-page colouful presentation could have been displayed on a computer screen or tablet instead of printed, and a simple to-do list could have been written by hand.

 

Enforce better recycling practices

Gone were the days where having a paper bin was good enough… Now, the recycling process is a lot more complex yet effective. In the workplace, your employees should have a solid understanding of how to reuse certain items, and how to separate one material from another. Hey, we did say it was complex…

If you’re not confident enough to create and enforce better recycling practices yourself, a Serviced Office from BE Offices comes with dedicated recycling points throughout. It’s easier for employees to pick up greener habits when their working environment already comes equipped with the necessary tools.

 

Buy eco-friendly office supplies

Think before you buy, and shop around before committing to a particular product! In this decade, you could probably find an eco-friendly alternative to almost everything, so there’s no excuse for purchasing notebooks that haven’t been created by recycled paper, or a refrigerator with a D energy efficiency rating.

Don’t underestimate the power of switching your office supplies to greener substitutes. Not only will you more than likely reduce your workplace’s carbon footprint and save money, but you’ll be encouraging your staff to adopt these practices in their personal lives.

 

Look into how your employees commute

If possible, encourage your employees to change the way they commute to work. For example, your business’s contribution to pollution will be extremely high if your entire workforce drives to work and back 5 days a week.

There are alternatives that they might not be aware of, and it’s your duty to shed some light on the possibilities. Perhaps there’s a group who live within close proximity to each other and can therefore carpool, reducing pollution, or maybe there are several staff members who own a bike and would be open to the idea of cycling? It’s worth a discussion, and if it’s a greener habit that they pick up… well, you’re onto a winner!