Whether you own a business or work for someone else, your workplace has a huge impact on your productivity and the planet. Here are a few ways to create an eco-friendly office environment. If you spend all day in an area that you don’t enjoy, then you will find it more difficult to concentrate on work and your overall health may suffer. With this in mind, here are some ways to improve your office to benefit you, your business, and the planet.
Create Your Eco-Friendly Office Space
Sustainability
A sustainable office is always the better choice. By being sustainable and responsible in every aspect of running a business, you send a message to your employees and your customers. Not only that, but you’re doing what you can to help the world and environment at large.
Businesses should aim to be sustainable in everything they do. Your office should discourage waste, using recycled materials wherever possible and reducing the amount of energy and water that you use to only what’s necessary.
As well as creating an eco-friendly office, you should also be sustainable and responsible in other aspects of your business. Avoid wasting resources, both financial and personal. Take care of your employees and customers, and they will take care of you.
Office Layout
The layout of your office is one of the most important things that many people and managers don’t think about. If you’re designing an office, then you need to consider how it impacts your team and the environment.
A poorly laid out or designed office can impact productivity and even employee morale and safety. Your office should also be designed to be sustainable, implementing smart systems and including plenty of green space.
The ideal layout of your office will also depend on the nature of the work that you do. Some industries require employees to constantly be able to easily collaborate with each other and share ideas and information. In these situations, a more open office environment is best as they can immediately see where people are and when to speak to them.
However, some employees and industries don’t need this collaboration, and some people prefer to work more quietly and privately to prevent distractions. Always consider the needs of your employees (or yourself) when planning the office layout, as well as the type of work your business requires.
Keep It Clean
A clean and tidy workplace is automatically more productive and pleasant for you and your employees. People can get easily distracted by clutter or mess, and it may even be a hazard. An unhygienic office is a breeding ground for disease, which people should be especially aware of after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Not only that, but spills or clutter can be trip or slip hazards, potentially causing injuries. Visitors to your office may conclude that if your business doesn’t care about the little things, your product or service might be similarly slovenly. Use an office cleaning service to keep on top of the workplace and keep it tidy.
You should aim to use eco-friendly methods wherever possible, including your cleaning supplies and methods. Reuse or recycle materials rather than throwing them away to save money and to further promote sustainability.
Photography by Nathan Dumlao
