By creating and maintaining a green workplace, you can contribute to environmentalsustainability while also developing a healthier work space for yourself and your co-workers.You can promote a green workplace by taking advantage of digital resources, changing out office supplies, and adjusting schedule policies.
Step 1: Digital tools are used for office communications.
Send emails instead of memos.PowerPoint is a program that can be used to create digital presentations instead of printed packets of information.If you have to sign certain forms, try a service that allows you to do so electronically.Encourage employees to take notes at business meetings.Emails have a carbon footprint so it's best to communicate in person.You may want to stop by your coworker's office to deliver a reminder or respond to a question.
Step 2: You should sign up for paperless payroll.
Employees of payroll companies can access their earnings information online.Encourage employees to enroll in direct deposit and review their pay stubs online instead of sending a paper check.
Step 3: Before you leave, turn off office equipment.
It's a good idea to check computers, printers, and fax machines at the end of the day.Leaving this equipment on throughout the night and over the weekend will use a lot of energy.
Step 4: Office computers can use energy-saving modes.
When the office computers are not in use for more than 10 minutes, they should be turned on.The computers will be able to save energy when employees step away for lunch or a restroom break.If you modify the power modes of your office equipment, you can save up to 80 percent on your monthly electricity bill.Reducing electricity costs helps the company's bottom line as well as helping the environment.
Step 5: "release" is a feature on your printer.
The person who sent the document to the printer needs to release it at the printers.The "release" feature reduces accidental and unnecessary printings because it takes a few extra minutes to print an item.It ensures that people will pick up the document when it is printed, rather than forgetting the item on the printer.
Step 6: Purchase disposable eating utensils and containers.
Encourage employees to use the utensils in the break room.Provide dish soap, sponges, and a dish rack to make it easier to wash dishes.If you're ordering food for a company event, please don't provide any plastic utensils or silverware.Compostable plates, cups, and silverware could also be requested.Provide your employees with coffee mugs or containers imprinted with the company logo to reduce the use of paper cups and plates.
Step 7: You can keep the restrooms supplied with recycled materials.
All-natural and organic forms of toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and cleaning supplies can be purchased.
Step 8: Provide recycling bins.
Place a bin for paper and plastic next to the regular trash can.Extra bins can be added for more specific items, like used printer ink cartridges, which can't be thrown away with regular recycling.New bins should have a sign explaining which items can be put inside them.
Step 9: Use recycled paper.
If paper is needed for printing or faxing, use 100 percent recycled paper and double-sided paper.The blank sheets of paper should be returned to the paper tray of the printer or fax machine.
Step 10: Exchange plants for plants in the office.
Plants will improve the quality of indoor air and help offset harmful pollutants that can be found in office carpeting and furniture.They have the added benefit of decreasing stress.
Step 11: Natural light can be used instead of indoor lighting.
During daylight hours, open window shades and blinds and turn off indoor office lighting.If you have landscaping done outside of office windows, trees, bushes, and other tall vegetation won't block sunlight from entering the office.Keeping in mind that natural light will also heat the workplace, which could increase the need for more air conditioning.When determining how much shade to keep outside your windows, consider your local climate.
Step 12: The supplemental lighting needs to be changed.
Use desk lamps instead of overhead lighting to save on energy and switch fluorescent bulbs to LEDs.Attach motion sensors to the lights in break rooms and conference rooms so they don't stay on after people leave.
Step 13: The plumbing fixture should be upgraded.
Older, water-saving toilets and faucets should be switched out.The upfront cost of low-flow toilets will lead to lower water bills later on.Motion-sensored fixtures can be used to make sure that faucets aren't left running accidentally.
Step 14: You can change to alternative work shifts.
Allow employees to work 10 hours per day for 4 days per week if they eliminate short shifts.This cuts out an entire day of electricity usage.Employees will commute less and contribute less to air pollution.
Step 15: Allow employees to work from home.
Encourage employees to work from home on certain days when employees need to be present in the office.Allow employees to work from home full time.This will eliminate their commute and many overhead costs.Video conferencing, email, and instant messaging can be used by employees to stay in touch with their bosses and clients throughout the day.
Step 16: It's a good idea to encourage greener commute.
Encourage employees to get to work in a more eco-friendly way if working from home isn't an option.Commuting can be done via rapid transit, cycling, or carpooling.Vouchers for train or bus fare are examples of incentives that can be offered.
Step 17: Green goals should be communicated to your staff.
Earth Week, or a service project like community trash pick-up, can be sponsored.Have everyone calculate and share their carbon footprint, then create a contest to encourage employees to do the same.