Green offices are part of the larger ‘green movement’ sweeping across North America, and the rest of the world!
Today, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of a green office, and how your business can join the movement.
The Office Compost Program is passionate about the environment and working towards greener workplaces. We’re happy to share what we’ve learned with you!
Let’s jump right in!
What Is The Green Movement?
The Green Movement, also called environmentalism, is the movement towards greater environmental sustainability.
The Green Movement is a broad movement - it encompasses many different areas. Some of these include:
Reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources (such as fossil fuels)
Reducing pollution
Planting more trees
Protecting plants and animal species
Protecting the ocean, lakes, and water sources
Reducing garbage/waste
Proper composting and food waste disposal
Living a zero-waste/minimalist lifestyle
Although the Green Movement has catapulted into the spotlight due to recent concerns over climate change, some historians track the early origins of environmentalism back to the Medieval period!
It may not always be easy - but it is worth it!
However, when we think of what the Green Movement looks like today, many see the 1960’s and 1970’s as the start of modern environmentalism, when the focus shifted to pollution and other environmental threats.
Green Offices - How Businesses Are Joining The Green Movement
Just like individuals are making strides towards a cleaner and green environment, so are businesses.
Did you know that in late June 2019, Kitchener City Council unanimously declared a climate emergency?
This was to highlight the need to take stronger action in reducing greenhouse emissions that are warming our planet.
Many businesses are looking for ways to reduce waste and increase sustainability
Businesses not only contribute to greenhouse emissions, but they also produce a significant amount of waste!
Industrial, commercial, institutional and non-residential sectors are major producers of waste (59% of all waste) in Ontario.
Want to join the green office moment? We can look towards other green offices and commercial sustainability programs for help and inspiration.
Check out this great video below that outlines a few simple things you can do to get started on your own green office initiative.
Going green doesn’t have to be complicated - it’s okay to start small
Remember, change won’t happen overnight. It’s not only okay to start by making small changes, but it’s recommended!
Your employees will be more likely to adopt new green initiatives if you take time to explain why you are incorporating them into the workplace - and how everyone can participate.
Tips For Green Offices
Ready to start making your office greener? Here are some more easy ways you can kickstart your green office initiative.
Conserve Energy
Did you know that over 70% of the sunlight that hits your windows is converted into heat? If you don’t already have them, consider investing in high-quality window coverings for your office.
In the winter, keep your window treatments open to let all that sunlight in! Your office furnace won’t run as much. In the summer, strategically close the blinds so less heat comes through - and your A/C won’t hum all day long!
Unplug electronics when not in use!
You can also keep lights off unless absolutely needed, and remember to unplug electronics when not in use - yes, even when not in use, they can use up energy. This is called phantom energy!
Use Green/Renewable Products
As the environmental movement continues to gain traction, there are more and more green and non-toxic products available. Choose green products whenever possible.
For example, instead of using chemical-based cleaning supplies, consider non-toxic versions instead.
You can also stock your office kitchen with mugs and glass cups instead of disposable coffee cups.
Try to use green or reusable items whenever possible at work
If you’re on a tight budget, you can find dozens of gently used mugs and cups at thrift stores, often for less than $1.00 each!
You may also want to encourage workers to bring in reusable water bottles instead of disposable, plastic ones.
To make things easier for them, you may want to consider gifting employees with a high-quality reusable water bottle (consider adding your logo to it)!
Or, you could give some kind of bonus to workers who bring in reusable water bottles or lunch containers.
Go Paperless - or at least try!
For many offices, going entirely paperless is not possible. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t at least reduce the amount of paper you use.
For great ideas on creating a paperless office, check out this video below! Andrew’s office may not look exactly like yours, but his tips can be used in any type of office setting.
Get tips for going paperless!
For papers that you must keep, ensure they are properly stored and then disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
For example, don’t throw old paper in the trash! Shred your documents and then recycle them properly.
As well, going paperless is one way you can work towards going zero waste in your office.
Compost At Work
Did you that in Kitchener-Waterloo, compost is not regularly collected from commercial properties?
That means that all commercial food waste gets thrown into the trash…and then rots in a landfill! Food waste sitting in landfills generates a great deal of methane, which contributes to climate change.
However, offices around Ontario, Canada, and the rest of the world can take control of food waste by implementing an office composting program.
If available, you may want to work with professionals who will do it for you. For example, at The Office Compost Program, we provide our clients with a Green Bin to collect food waste in the office!
If you do not have a program like this available in your area, you can begin your own office composting initiative. Many businesses choose to compost food waste right on their own property.
four major Benefits Of a Green Office
Now that you know a bit more about the Green Movement and how many green offices operate, let’s take a look at some of the amazing benefits of going green at work.
1. improved employee morale & customer experience
More and more people are joining the green movement. That means more employees and customers care about environmental sustainability.
For the employee, a green office is important as they may want to work in an environment that aligns with their own personal values.
For the customer, they may want to purchase from a company that they know cares about more than just making a sale.
Businesses should consider the values of their employees and customers
From Entrepreneur.com:
“Over the past ten years, consumers (aka employees) have become more interested in sustainability, more concerned about environmental threats and are more willing to take action and/or direct their dollars in ways that benefit (or don’t harm) the environment.”
As businesses keep the values of both their employees and customers in mind, they will likely see a boost in employee morale and customer satisfaction!
2. reduce waste collection costs
In many areas, including the Kitchener-Waterloo area, businesses must pay for their own waste collection services. The Region does not provide waste collection for commercial properties.
Waste collection often costs much more than composting - so by composting at work, you can reduce your overall waste collection costs!
3. boosts cognitive thinking
A study outlined by FacileThings recently found that working in an eco-friendly office actually boosts cognitive thinking by 26% - that’s a big improvement!
What exactly does this mean? Well, this study found that along with the boost in cognitive thinking, employees used information more efficiently, and scored better in strategy and crisis response.
Green offices can help employees think more clearly
Green offices can encourage employees, not only by boosting morale, but by improving their health too!
4. Employees Feel Better
By utilizing natural light over electrical office lighting, incorporating natural elements (like plants) into your office space, and by choosing non-toxic cleaning products, your workspace will be healthier. And that means your employees will too!
For example, one study published by Harvard Business Review found that natural light was the #1 thing workers wanted in their office.
As well, non-toxic cleaning products don’t contribute to indoor air pollution and run a much lower risk of contributing to an employee’s asthma or allergies.
Overall, a green office is a cleaner and healthier office, and your employees (and customers) will definitely notice the difference.
Green Offices - Join The Movement!
Are you ready to join the Green Office Movement? One of the easiest ways to get involved is by taking control of your office food waste.
On average, Canadians produce about 2.7 kg (5.9 lbs) of garbage every single day? One study showed that over half (58%) of all food produced in Canada is wasted!
Canadians don’t just waste food at home - they do it at work too. You can help reduce the amount of waste produced in your workplace by opting into the Office Compost Program.
We proudly offer our Office Compost Program to businesses across the Waterloo Region, helping you make a positive impact on the environment.
Create a greener workplace with our Office Compost Program - contact us today!
“WE ARE CURRENTLY USING THE COMPOST PROGRAM AND THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT AS OUR COMPANY HAS GROWN AND OUR USAGE INCREASED. VERY FRIENDLY AND TERRIFIC SERVICE!”
— JULIE G., BIG ROAD