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Last Updated on May 13, 2018 by Work In My Pajamas
With so many sustainable trends people implement in their homes nowadays, many business owners are starting to make this change at their offices as well. Being in a great environment can have a positive effect on your work habits and you’ll surely be more efficient in peaceful surroundings. An eco-friendly workspace can also be an inspiration to your workers to start making this change in their personal lives too and start taking care of nature more than before. This can be a great way to stand out from your competitors and bring more to the table than they have to offer.
Office supplies
Just imagine the amount of paper one single person uses on a daily basis and then think about all the trees that need to be cut down to make that happen. A simple transition to recycled paper will be a great way to save some money, given that this type is cheaper. Apart from that, think about using reusable pens – no matter how retro that seems – as they only require new ink fillings.
These simple changes are proven to be good for your budget, but also they’ll also help you cut down on the waste. Lots of office supplies can be recycled and all you need to do is separate your trash into plastic and paper bins. This is probably the easiest task, but you shouldn’t stop the recycling process there – instead, try to start this trend in your office kitchen too and learn how you can benefit from that.
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Install solar panels
If your business can be updated with solar panels, this thrifty upgrade can save you energy and, consequently, money. Apart from that, there’s nothing more energy-efficient than turning to solar power as the main source of electricity. You’ll see the changes after you get your first bills and that will help you to make a full transition to this source of energy.
Consider installing a couple panels to see how they work and then consider adding new ones in the future. Opt for high-quality SMA inverters which will help you get the most from your panels, help you save power and reach your goals when it comes to eco-awareness. After making the initial investment, you’ll soon start seeing changes and benefits this easy transition provides.
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Furniture and lighting
When your business starts growing, you’ll need more space and furniture for your new employees. However, picture the amount of office furniture that gets thrown away every day and you’ll see why buying recycled or sustainable desks and chairs is important. Go for materials that can be recycled or reused, and save yourself the trouble of constantly buying new furniture every year.
In addition to that, change the lighting and install LED bulbs which will provide much softer lighting and save energy. Minimize the number of light fixtures and keep only those that are actually in use, and turn off the ones you installed only for decoration. Consider desk positions and place lighting so it’ directly above the work stations, thus allowing yourself to minimize the amount of lighting your office needs.
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Check the devices
Many people don’t know that replacing a desktop computer with a laptop can save more than 90% of energy. This sounds too simple to be true, but it really is, which is why many business owners have embraced this change and provided their employees with new laptops. Moreover, working on one all day long is much easier and you won’t have to buy additional screens and keyboards.
Finally, be sure to make your employees turn off their computers instead of putting them in a sleep mode since this wastes a considerable amount of power as well. Sleep mode is good for meetings and coffee breaks because it consumes less power than working in a full-power mode, so start using it right away!
Another thing you should do is raise awareness amongst your employees and teach them all the benefits of these changes. You won’t be able to do everything on your own and you will need their help to incorporate all the changes in their daily routine. Soon enough, everyone will adapt to these ideas and you’ll notice a positive change in your office before you know it!
