Transforming your office into a sustainable space offers a range of benefits that go beyond just reducing energy costs and minimizing environmental impact. Organizations that adopt sustainable practices are increasingly attractive to both job seekers and customers, which can help drive business growth. So, what steps can you take to make your office more sustainable and how can our office spaces help?
Install motion sensor lighting
One of the easiest ways to cut energy consumption is by installing motion-sensor lighting. These lights automatically turn on when someone enters a room, and turn off when the room is empty—perfect for spaces like hallways or meeting rooms that aren’t always in use. This simple change ensures lights aren’t left on unnecessarily, saving energy and reducing your electricity bills without any extra effort. In both The Tannery and Calls Wharf, we’ve installed motion sensor lighting to conserve energy and cut costs—benefiting not only us, but our customers as well.
Turn off devices when not in use
Encouraging your team to power down devices when not in use can make a significant difference in your energy consumption. Devices left on standby continue to draw power, which can add up over time. By cultivating a culture of turning off equipment at the end of each day, you’ll save energy, promote safety, and keep your office running efficiently.
Promote recycling programs
Paper:
Introducing recycling programs is an easy but effective way to reduce your office's environmental impact. Recycling paper saves 70% of the energy and water needed to make new paper products. Even more impressively, recycling just one ton of paper can save 17 trees! Additionally, offices can further reduce their environmental footprint by using recycled paper and cutting back on paper use where possible. In fact, why not strive to become a paperless office entirely?
Plastic:
Plastic is durable and inexpensive, but its single-use nature is a major concern for the environment. Plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to break down in landfills, and even then, it simply turns into smaller pieces, causing ongoing pollution. By setting up systems for recycling plastic materials—whether it's packaging, wrappers, or bottles—you’re not only helping reduce waste but also conserving energy and carbon by lessening the need for new plastic production from raw materials.
Electronic Devices:
Finally, don't overlook the recycling of electronic devices. Many electronic products contain hazardous substances that can damage the environment. Recycling electronics helps prevent toxic materials from entering landfills, reduces pollution, and saves valuable landfill space. By offering these recycling programs in the office, staff have an easy and structured way to get involved in sustainability efforts, and by making sure recycling bins are readily available and clearly labeled, employees are more likely to participate without much extra effort. At Bracken, we provide commercial recycling bins to make it simple for you and your team to start recycling effortlessly.
Empower employees to use more sustainable transport
Cycling to work offers a range of benefits, from boosting employee happiness and health to enhancing productivity and it’s another way to foster sustainability in the workplace. To encourage more people to cycle, consider setting up a cycle-to-work scheme, offering staff discounts on bikes, interest-free loans, or even the option to borrow a bike. Providing safe and secure cycle storage is also essential and something we pride ourselves on offering at both The Tannery and Calls Wharf. Secure bicycle storage plays a key role in employees’ decision to cycle to work. Ideally, this storage should be CCTV-monitored or only accessible with an access code, well-lit at night and sheltered from the elements. Additionally, offering showers and changing facilities is a great perk—not just for cyclists, but for all employees, particularly during the warmer months! Lockers for storing cycling gear can also add extra convenience!
Another way to support sustainability and reduce your businesses’ carbon footprint is to install EV charging points for employees. Employees who drive an electric vehicle will value the convenience that comes with being able to charge their vehicle whilst at work, and it also shows your business to be environmentally conscious and embracing the future as more and more people transition to electric vehicles. At The Tannery, we offer several electric car charging stations at a competitive rate, making it easier for our customers to choose sustainable transportation options.
Promoting sustainability in the workplace
Creating a more sustainable office environment involves both physical changes and fostering a culture of sustainability among your team. Educating and engaging staff is key in driving meaningful change. This includes communicating sustainability goals and offering training and workshops to enhance sustainability knowledge. Gaining staff buy-in is crucial to supporting and advancing sustainability initiatives in the workplace.
By implementing just a few of these simple changes, you can make a big difference in your office’s sustainability efforts—and contribute to a cleaner, greener future for everyone.