There’s an increasing need for businesses to adhere to proactive sustainable management strategies that go beyond national legislation requirements. The biggest global companies have been working on this matter for decades and have come up with unique and practical ideas on how to take care of the environment. Some of this article’s topics are influenced by brainstorming concepts.
However, another reason why companies take on such practices is to gain recognition and positive fame. A company that cares about the Earth you live in has a broader reach because it’s given as a positive example in the media, creating the impression that it’s taking care of customers’ environment, ultimately gaining customers.
If you also want to reach a larger audience, ensure you target environmental activists, too. Keep reading to understand how going “green” can help your company and the effective ways to promote an environmentally conscious workplace.
Establish a recycling program
Implementing a recycling program in the workspace can be difficult if there’s no support from the staff. There are many tips for doing so, but employees need to understand the importance of keeping the environment healthy, especially in a place that probably produces lots of waste. From paper waste to leftovers, everything should and can be controlled if you, as an employee, take the following steps:
- Create a green team
- Determine the amount of garbage you produce
- Determine what to acquire
- Involve your staff
- Identify the traffic flow
- Consider centralizing your recycling
- Make use of pictures in recycling graphics.
Encourage your employees
Businesses generally pursue marketing strategies, production and investment, so it’s not common for employees to care about anything else besides making profits. Yet, the times we live in require more thoughtfulness towards the environment, whose resources are increasingly scarcer, valorous, and expensive.
Your business should comply with voluntary, proactive sustainable management regulations, and your employees can have their say in this. For example, have a meeting or a conference to find ways to be “greener” at work. Include your staff in your sustainable goal by setting a positive example and engaging and empowering them. Talk to and cooperate with your team members to receive ideas for how your company can be more environmentally conscious. Feedback from your staff will help them embody and accept your new ambitions and visions.
Hire someone to motivate your staff
Muhammad Ali, Joan of Arc, Richard Branson, J. K. Rowling – all have good chances to convince your employees to take care of the environment. And that’s because they have been trained to inspire and motivate others to stand up, do the right things, and make the right choices.
Similarly, you can hire someone with experience to stimulate your staff to get out of their comfort zones. For example, female motivational speakers can share heart-warming stories of how they grew into today’s influential leaders. This way, they make calls to action and empower others, making them want to show their inner strength and morale.
The internet provides motivational content, and you can easily whip up a PowerPoint with stimulating quotes. But if you plan to do this, ensure you talk and act like you don’t believe there’s other reality than an environmentally friendly one and that this is your #1 true belief, in order to reach as many employees’ hearts as possible.
Save energy in the workplace
You can take a few simple measures to reduce your energy use at work. From turning off the light when you leave the room, even if you are only gone for fifteen minutes, to lowering the office thermostat, every step can be easily done and can benefit the surrounding environment.
Choose a well-lit spot for your desk or workplace to lower power consumption, and put an energy-saving bulb in your desk lamp if you work night shifts. It’s recommended to put computers in standby mode whenever employees leave their desks and to put the devices in sleep mode if they’re not in use for more than half an hour. Don’t use a screen saver; encourage employees to turn off their screens. Make a statement that chargers shouldn’t stay plugged in after they leave work, especially at the weekend.
When it comes to your organization’s operation and maintenance rules, often the minor details make the most considerable effect. A system like LEED is a simple method for addressing maintenance and operations practices that improve your building’s environment and minimize water and energy use.
Avoid rising costs
You can reduce workspace expenses by minimizing your company’s negative environmental impact on the environment. When you’re reliant on natural sources that are increasingly pricier, you use more energy than you’d use if your organization implemented simple measures to cut power consumption.
For example, installing low-flow faucets or motion-activated taps can save hundreds of litres of water over time. Waterless urinals and water-efficient toilets are also excellent water-saving devices.
Many buildings, especially older ones, have grossly inadequate insulation, assuming they have any. Adding or improving your insulation condition can save you money on cooling and heating in the extreme seasons, which may build up over time. When building insulation, use recycled materials like sheep wool or shredded denim.
Conserve human energy
This may appear foolish, yet your workers' well-being heavily influences how they respond to your demands as an employer. They won't care about your orders if you don't care about their happiness and comfort at work. If they recycle, most likely, some won't do it correctly. Equally, little do they care about energy consumption; after all, they don't pay for that.
Mindfulness is equally crucial. Consider how keeping healthy and active personnel can help your company's overall production. Maintain a safe, non-toxic atmosphere to keep your workforce happy and energetic. It may begin by offering environmentally friendly and healthful choices such as organic vegetables, smoothies, and fruits.
Last but not least
Because of technological advancements and workplace trends, you can now perform the same duties in a smaller area with less energy-consuming devices. Individual workplaces are less productive than communal spaces where employees may interact and share ideas. Using these spaces is a great way to improve productivity while decreasing the total amount of space and power consumption, such as light, HVAC energy, etc.
