In recent years, we’ve all become more aware of the need to be friendlier to the environment. Individuals, companies, local authorities and national governments have a responsibility to be as green as possible nowadays, in a bid to right the wrongs of the past, and to ensure future generations have a healthy world in which to live. For the business sector, one of the most important obligations is in making the workplace more ecologically sound, and there are many things that can be done to achieve this.
Property developers and investors are more aware than ever that future initiatives will need to include a number of greener features.
Every initiative, even the seemingly insignificant ones, can have a major influence on their carbon footprint, so it makes sense to do a little research into the various options. Recycle as much and as often as possible A growing number of people are recycling various items at home nowadays, and businesses can be just as proactive. As well as the usual things, such as sheets of paper, food packaging and magazines, there are many other everyday office materials that can be easily recycled.
They include printer cartridges, which cost a relatively large amount of money to produce, and can easily be adapted to be used again. The same applies to toner cartridges from photocopiers. Even mobile phones can and should be recycled, and there are specialist agencies which can help in this area. It’s important to be housed in greener commercial properties, too, so if your company is currently looking for offices to rent in Edinburgh, for example, speak to your letting agency about the range of options that are open to you. By doing this, you can be sure you’re doing your bit for the environment. Light up the office and lighten the load A great way to make a quick win is to install low-energy lightbulbs or tubing in the workplace.
They are inexpensive to buy, and the savings will soon be apparent when your electricity bills arrive. Staff members should also be encouraged to switch lights off when rooms are unoccupied for long periods of the day. Transport into and out of the workplace is another area which offers opportunities to be greener.
Establishing a car pooling scheme is an excellent idea, especially if there are incentives offered to employees who are prepared to ferry colleagues to and from the office on a daily basis. There are plenty of areas in which business leaders can take a lead nowadays, whether they are in unserviced or serviced offices. Cardiff, one of the major centres of business in the UK, is a good example of a city in which greener initiatives are actively encouraged by the local authority.
David Rice is an office-based writer with a keen interest in the environment. He believes that being greener is a must for everyone.
