More sustainable working: 10 tips for the office and at home

Tue, 20.02.2024, 07:00

At a time when climate change and environmental pollution are becoming ever more evident, sustainable working is equally important for both companies and their employees. Integrating environmentally conscious practices and office materials into everyday working life is easier than you might think. Read on to find out how you can better protect the environment in the workplace and also increase the efficiency and well-being of your team.

 

Do you associate environmentally conscious action in the office with grey recycled paper and water-saving toilet flushes? Well think again! Environmental protection in the workplace is creative, bang on trend and also contributes to a positive external image for your company. After all, responsible use of our natural resources stopped being a fringe issue for die-hard eco-activists years ago, and has long been en vogue among broad sections of the population. Companies with the right instinct know how to capitalise on this and have commissioned their product developers and designers to create ecological office supplies and even furniture. Here are 10 tips, concrete measures and ideas that make it easy to work more sustainably.

1. Energy-efficient office equipment

Let's start with the office equipment: Invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Modern computers, printers and lighting systems are often labelled with the Energy Star label and consume less energy than older models. You should also invest in motion detectors and timers to ensure that lights and appliances are only active when they are really needed.

Another important aspect is the stand-by mode. Make sure that all devices are switched off completely or set to standby mode at the end of the workday. Note that standby mode continues to consume power even when the devices are not in use.

2. Paperless office

3. Clever office supplies

The choice of sustainable products plays a major role in creating an environmentally friendly office environment. When purchasing office materials, look out for environmental labels such as the Blue Angel or the FSC® or PEFC logo for wood products. These seals guarantee that the products have been manufactured in an environmentally friendly way. And don't worry! Mouse-grey recycled paper is a thing of the past. Today, there is a huge variety of environmentally friendly papers which, with their special visual and tactile properties, have long outshone classic "white" paper. And paper is by no means the end of the story, as these examples prove...

	Recycled paper: The main feature of recycled paper is its natural look and slightly rough feel. This kind of eco look is now hip, so almost all of your target groups will find letters and envelopes made from recycled paper more attractive than white paper with glossy effects.   Certified papers: Print on certified papers that meet high environmental standards. They come from responsible or sustainable forestry and are subject to strict controls along the product chain, from forest management to paper processing.
	Recycling of ballpoint pens: How often do you receive ballpoint pens as promotional gifts, and how often do they end up in the rubbish bin afterwards? Why not recycle these discarded pens into new ones? Then you get recycled ballpoint pens– the epitome of ecologically sound office equipment.
	prodir True Biotic pens: Even better if you can simply dispose of the pens in the organic waste as soon as the ink is used up. The barrel of the True Biotic ballpoint pens from prodir is made from biopolymers. Microorganisms in special tanks excrete a substance that collects as sediment. This sediment is processed into granulate – with the result being a material that is confusingly similar to plastic, only without petroleum or recycled plastics. The material then decomposes 100 % on contact with carbon compounds (for example in organic waste or on the compost heap), completely without any harmful substances or decomposition products.
	Office equipment from the Impact AWARE™ series: Many printable products are made from certified Impact AWARE™ rPET. This means that the plastic in these products is made from recycled PET bottles, on top of which it also requires a lot less water. The unique thing about this series is that special tracer particles mean the exact composition of the product can be determined at any time. For example, the laptop sleeve in the Impact AWARE™ series contains 16 recycled plastic bottles. And compared to similar products, 10 litres of water are saved during production – for every single laptop sleeve. Other products in this range include writing cases, cosmetic bags and thermos flasks. And there's another bonus: The manufacturer donates 2 % of sales to water.org – although unfortunately no donation receipt can be issued for end consumers. But it's still a great thing.

4. Office plants for better air quality

Working more sustainably also means feeling good all round, and plants can help with this. They not only beautify the office, but also improve air quality. By filtering pollutants out of the air, they ensure a pleasant indoor climate, so invest in some indoor plants to make the office greener and foster well-being among your colleagues.

5. Carpooling and home office

To reduce your carbon footprint, encourage your employees to carpool or work from home. This not only proves that you are committed to sustainable work, but also that you are a company that moves with the times and has confidence in its employees. If possible, offer flexible working hours to avoid traffic congestion and reduce stress for your teams.

6. Waste separation and recycling

Set up an effective waste separation system in the office and ensure that all employees adhere to it. Label the different waste containers for paper, plastic, glass and residual waste to ensure proper disposal. Also ensure that electronic devices are recycled properly to keep toxic substances out of the environment.

7. Better catering

If you offer your employees drinks and snacks, switch to sustainable options. Avoid single-use plastic and opt for reusable or compostable packaging. In addition, buy regional and seasonal products and promote local suppliers. Here are a few more suggestions for a more environmentally conscious break.

Organically produced bowls: A quick order from an Asian restaurant at lunchtime and a can of cola, and you're left with a mountain of plastic waste after the break. More sustainable working requires a different approach – and as an employer, you have the power to steer your team's eating habits in a positive direction. For example, by providing bowls made from an organic plastic that is 100 % recyclable. This way, your morning muesli or soup at lunchtime tastes much better.

Water dispensers and glass bottles: And before colleagues start hoarding plastic bottles of bottled water in the office: How about installing a water dispenser and distributing sealable glass bottles? You can fill them with water as often as you like, day in, day out.

8. More sustainable working at office events

9. Conscious use of resources

10. Regular sustainability audit