Do you want to be more conscious about how much you consume daily and respect our planet more? A “zero waste” concept will appeal to you! Here are 14 easy steps to set in motion at work which could help save the planet. A “green” workplace could not be easier to get started!
Businesses are not the most ecological in terms of their impact on the environment. It is very rare to find coffee dispensers without takeaway cups or snacks without a lot of packaging in big businesses. However many have already started to look for greener solutions. Some steps may need the go ahead from your boss but others you can do yourself. Be an advocate for a greener planet and you will be rewarded!
1/ Turn off your computer at the wall when you leave
Remember to turn off your computer at the wall when you leave the office and when you take a break at lunch save energy by putting your PC on sleep mode. These are simple ways to save energy that you can do yourself without the go ahead from your boss!
2/ Be concise when when writing emails
When your computer becomes inactive install a browser with a black screen which will consume less. Avoid animated screensavers with images or texts that run in the background. Delete useless emails from your inbox. These message consume a lot of energy because they are permanently stored on a server. Try and be concise and to the point with your emails. Provide all the information required so you don’t have to send multiple messages which use more energy!
3/ Change your stationary
Use pencils instead of plastic pens or stationary which is made from recycled plastic or which can be composted. For some jobs you don’t need to write that often. While your computer is on you could use Notes or a Google Doc instead of using mountains of paper or notebooks. An old jam jar is good for storing pencils instead of a plastic tub. Avoid buying plastic stationary and get rid of unnecessary clutter. Your workplace will feel greener already!
4/ Ask your boss for unpackaged snacks and a new coffee machine
If your company is quite small and doesn’t have a coffee machine or a vending machine, you could try and organise a collection of unpackaged sacks for the office like fruit, biscuits, nuts or dried fruit. As well as being more environmentally friendly these snacks are less expensive which will surely get your boss on your side. The extra cost of packaging pays for the price of the brands marketing. When you buy products loose you don’t pay for the unnecessary packaging. Encourage your boss to sell the coffee dispenser with plastic cups for a grinding machine and buy the coffee in bulk, of course! Your company should spend less at the end of the day! Maybe even enough to hope for a small increase, who knows?
5/ Buy ethical and sustainable products
Before buying a new product, ask your boss to try to favor ethical and environmentally friendly manufacturing. (Products from companies which use sustainable forests, employ good workers rights and have a limited carbon footprint …). Show your concern for the environment!
6/ Give away items you no longer need
If your boss has decided to change the coffee machine, ask him to resell it or give it away instead of throwing it in the bin. Instead of going to landfill it is better for these items which are still useful to go to a new home. There are many charity shops which would be delighted to have it! You could also do this for your stationary that you no longer use.
7/ Recycle your plastic pens and stationary
It is possible to recycle your plastic pens when they are finished and send them to the manufacturer to make new ones.
The Writing Instrument Recycling Programme collects stationary which can be recycled.
