Ways to a Greener Office
It is becoming more of a priority to incorporate sustainable methods into our daily habits these days. A lot of what we are seeing is how to make our homes more green which is so important, but the reality is that most of us spend more time at the office than at home. In the typical office, there are so many opportunities to promote the atmosphere and our overall well-being. Below are 4 habits to try to work towards:
· Go Digital. This is no surprise as going green always seems to be directly correlated with saving paper in most of our minds. The main focus is to print less. This can be achieved by typing your notes and referencing electronically, printing in smaller font, and print 2-sided when possible. For a bonus when purchasing paper, look for high amounts of post-consumer recycled content.
· Lightening Up. Lighting is known to account for about 25% of an electrical bill in commercial settings. Largely, lighting is such a crucial component in the office as we rely on this to promote productivity and keep a positive mood. Try to rely on natural light as much as possible and consider motion sensors in those secondary spaces that are used less (restrooms, printing rooms, storage spaces). Where new bulbs are needed look to LED for replacements which will offer significant energy savings and overall longevity. Also, most don’t realize that LED bulbs can be recycled due to its low mercury content.
· In the Kitchen. Aim to use as many reusable products as possible. Typically you’d use a mug at home on the weekends, so why not do the same during the week? Filling your mug with fair trade coffee would be a bonus. Literally a hot commodity! Bringing lunch to work in a reusable container is likely the greenest (and healthiest) lunch decision. Lastly, buying in bulk for the office oppose to individual servings (salt/pepper, coffee accessories, etc.) drastically reduces the amount of packaging used.
· The 3 R’s. Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle of course! These go hand in hand with the above items. Reduce the amount of paper and packaging, Reuse containers, and Recycle plastic, cans, and printer cartridges. It’s important to be cautious of what we are recycling to reduce pollution caused by waste. Be sure to have 2 separate bins nearby for convenience. How do these apply in an architectural/ Design firm specifically?
a. Reduce the amount of samples that you order and presentations printed.
b. Reuse samples for more than one project where possible and be diligent about sending samples back if they aren’t being used.
c. Recycle by creating new uses for unused materials.
Most of us have a routine in the office, but don’t forget that it only takes small changes to make a big impact!
