Workplace sustainability is growing in importance for businesses of all sizes and industries. Increasingly, one of the fundamental driving forces for that shift comes from within the company itself. According to research conducted by Deloitte in 2023, 69% of working adults want their employers to invest in sustainability efforts. The percentage clamouring for change is even higher within the Millennial age group.
This call for change means that sustainability is no longer an issue considered exclusively in the boardroom. It’s a series of real, meaningful actions and initiatives taking place in workplaces across the country right now.
Today is an exciting time to champion sustainability initiatives as a business, and there are clear incentives to get it right. While no one business can halt climate change in isolation, every action can make a positive difference as we race towards the 2050 Net Zero target and all feel the impact of more frequent extreme weather events.
Social responsibility aside, being sustainably minded has clear commercial benefits. It’s crucial for employee retention and engagement, with a company’s purpose becoming just as important as the perks it can offer at the recruitment stage.
There are also bottom-line benefits, with sustainable measures often resulting in financial savings in the longer term. What’s more, with a growing number of consumers choosing not to buy certain products or services due to sustainability concerns, becoming more sustainable as a brand can be a point of competitive difference.
With all that said, here are 10 workplace sustainability ideas:
1. Upgrade to LEDs
If you haven’t yet swapped out older lighting fixtures and fittings, making the switch to energy-efficient LEDs is an easy place to begin your sustainability transition. LEDs use less energy than traditional bulbs and last longer, so they make sense from both a procurement and budget perspective.
2. Install motion sensors
Very few of us leave all the lights on in the house when we exit the room or go out. So, why is it this habit so ubiquitous in the workplace? If your place of work typically has all lights blazing, all the time, installing motion sensors or timers could seriously reduce your energy use and increase your energy efficiency.
3. Prioritise natural cooling and heating
Traditional cooling and heating systems are enormously energy intensive and do little to create a sustainable work environment. Swapping out your older HVAC systems to embrace natural methods of cooling and ventilation is a notable step towards creating a more energy-efficient and sustainable building. While this is undeniably a large undertaking, the long-term impact could be transformative. You can also pair these larger scale initiatives with easily actionable, lower cost measures.
4. Add a compost bin to the kitchen
Something as simple as adding a compost bin to your office kitchen can have a bigger impact than you might think. Composting leftovers from your team’s work lunches through the month reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill. You can also use the compost to nourish your plants and shrubs, creating a welcoming environment for your team and visitors.
5. Recycle water
Carry out a water audit and you may be surprised to discover just how much is being wasted across your business every day. The good news is this is a relatively easy problem to solve, as you can recycle and reuse wastewater in a number of ways. Water from sinks for example, can be used to flush toilets. Rainwater can be collected to water plants. Installing water-efficient taps can also reduce waste.
6. Rethink your office snack station
If you offer food to staff members, whether via a staff canteen or snack bowls, assessing the type of food on offer and how it’s sourced can also improve your overall sustainability. Sourcing fruit and vegetables from local farmers’ markets reduces food miles. Introducing a vegetarian or vegan day to the menu can boost your planet-friendly credentials, while going organic and checking labels are all easy ways to make a positive difference.
7. Source eco-friendly paints
If you’re planning an office refresh, the materials you source (and how you source them) offer an additional opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Choosing paints that use natural or organic pigments is an easy swap. Plus, it could be healthier for your team, too.
8. Be sustainable in your furniture choices
It is possible to be more sustainable in your furniture choices. Consider the materials used and ask yourself if you can recycle, reuse or even upcycle to reduce your impact on the planet.
9. Embrace smart technology
We’re fortunate to have easy access to a wide range of smart technology systems. From access control to timers for lights, integrating smart technology into the fabric of your building ensures a continuous commitment to sustainability.
10. Install video conferencing facilities
If there is one thing most of us mastered during the pandemic, it was how to use Zoom. Having good quality video technology systems means you can reduce corporate travel, reducing your carbon footprint.
