Over the past few years, sustainability has moved from the sidelines to the forefront, becoming a major factor in both consumer choices and investor decisions. Companies of all sizes have started integrating sustainable practices into their daily workflows as a way to meet demand while ensuring lasting success.
For CEOs, that means implementing eco-friendly practices at the workplace is good for business just as much as it’s good for the planet. However, it isn’t always easy to know where to start.
In this C-Suite 411 article, we’ll discuss unique and practical environmental strategies CEOs can implement starting in the workplace to make a real difference without overwhelming their teams or bottom line.
The Benefits of Starting Small
By now, it’s widely understood that sustainable business practices are well received by stakeholders, employees, and consumers alike. Currently, the focus is mostly on protecting natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is the most sought-after goal in corporate sustainability strategies, as it helps mitigate climate change and aligns with global efforts to limit economic losses associated with climate impacts.
While this is a great mission, it can be just as beneficial for workplaces to get involved in sustainable practices. After all, even small decisions can have a large impact.
Research has shown that employees who feel their work has a positive impact are generally more satisfied and engaged more with their work. When you promote a green workplace culture you can boost productivity, increase your brand’s value, and better-utilized resources you currently have.
10 Unique Eco-Friendly Practices You Can Start Today
Some practices are more common than others, like recycling paper products and using reusable items in the break room. These methods are perfectly suitable for office spaces and can help an organization decrease its waste output. It is important to note these aren’t the only methods company leaders can utilize.
Here are 10 unique eco-friendly practices you can use in your office now.
1. Use technology to your advantage. Today, there are many tools that can help reduce energy output. This can be achieved by using automated lighting sensors, energy-efficient lightbulbs, smart sensors that track energy usage, and more. You can even go a step further and use solar powered tools to get that extra boost of natural energy.
2. Declutter your digital footprint. Many people think that if it’s digital, it can’t hurt the environment, but that isn’t always true. Comapanies can encourage employees to regularly clean out old emails, unused cloud files, and archived projects as a way to offset their carbon output. Reducing digital storage lowers your organization’s carbon footprint due to less data center energy usage.
3. Switch to eco-fonts when printing. If printing is necessary in daily workloads, use fonts like Garamond, Times New Roman, Century Gothic, and Ryman Eco to reduce ink usage. This may seem silly but it’s a subtle shift that can significantly cut down on waste and printer cartridge costs.
4. Invest in wasteless or reusable products. Similar to the idea of using reusable products in the breakroom, switching products you use often with more sustainable versions can prevent excess waste. For example, the staple-free stapler can attach 2 to 5 sheets of paper without using a single staple through a paper grip system.
5. Support green vendors. Choose suppliers and partners that prioritize sustainable sourcing, ethical labor practices, and low-emission shipping. This could mean using landscaping companies that use manual or electric tools over gas or switching your office coffee provider to one that uses fair trade coffee products.
6. Promote greener commutes and hybrid work structures. Encouraging employees to use public transportation or even creating a carpool system can help offset carbon production on their daily commute. This is also a great way to get employees directly involved in greener methods. In contrast to the greener commutes, companies can also use hybrid work structures to reduce the need to come into the office at all.
7. Use plants as natural climate control. Bringing living plants into a workspace will do more than just brighten up the place. A little-known fact about plants is they can also regulate a room’s humidity and temperature through a process called transpiration, where they release water vapor into the air. This can help your HVAC systems work smarter and even help improve air quality in the workspace.
8. Get certified in e-waste removal. This is an extra step that is optional but great in the long run. Have designated personnel certified in e-waste removal as a way to recycle old equipment easily and reuse what can be saved to repair broken equipment. Many states also allow for extra benefits for businesses when used for the public e-waste removal center.
9. Get rid of single-use water bottles. Single-use water bottles are a major contributor to plastic waste today. Swapping bottled water for water filters or encouraging employees to bring their own reusable water bottles can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste your company creates.
10. Make your business travel program greener. According to Travelperk, by 2050, air travel is expected to account for between 12% and 27% of global greenhouse gas emissions with business travel representing about 20% of that global travel. Creating a green business travel program can reduce your carbon footprint from business travel.
Avoid Greenwashing by Following Through
It isn’t uncommon for organizations to start with good intentions or adopt sustainable practices superficially, aiming to satisfy consumer expectations or comply with regulations. However, these practices can do more harm than good when there is a lack the dedication to the process.
This is where greenwashing becomes a serious concern. Greenwashing involves making misleading environmental claims that suggest products or operations are more eco-friendly than they truly are. This can lead to heavy fines or penalties, damaged brand reputation, and even lower employee morale.
One good example of greenwashing in the workplace is something I have experienced myself. I once worked in an office that went through large amounts of paper and implemented recycling bins to help combat our paper waste output. One night while working late, I discovered that while the recycling bins were well used during the day, the janitorial company that our office used would throw all trash and recycling into the same bin at the end of the day. While we believed our organization was enacting sustainable practices, our efforts were negated through a miscommunication of each company’s expectations.
Doing proper research and following through is a vital step for every leader who is trying to create a more sustainable workplace. Otherwise, why even start at all?
Going Green Is Better for Business
Creating a sustainable workplace doesn’t require sweeping overhauls or massive budgets. It starts with intentional, everyday decisions that can be implemented from the inside out. From supporting green vendors to investing in repurposed products, today’s CEOs have more tools and strategies than ever to lead with purpose.
Sources: PlayItGreen, Reuters, Travel Perk
