Going Green: Creating a Culture of Sustainability in the Workplace

The modern workplace has a significant impact on the environment. From the wasteful use of energy to poor waste management, there are several ways in which offices can be environmentally unfriendly. In an age of climate change, companies are expected to operate in a socially responsible manner. Sustainable workplace practices can help reduce their impact and contribute to efforts to address environmental issues.

Why Workplace Sustainability Matters

Many employees today are looking for employers who value sustainability and are committed to making a positive impact on the environment and society. Some surveys suggest protecting the environment is the main concern for Generation Z employees, followed by unemployment and health care or disease prevention. Other surveys also suggest most millennials are concerned about the environment and are making an effort to change their habits.

By adopting sustainable workplace practices, companies can attract and retain these employees while improving their overall workplace culture. However, according to the World Economic Forum, 90 per cent of executives believe sustainability is important, but only 60 per cent of organizations have sustainability strategies. 

Sustainable Workplace Practices

Sustainable workplace practices can lead to cost savings through increased efficiency, reduced waste, and improved resource management. While some initiatives may take extra planning and come with additional costs, in the long run, some steps can save on electricity bills and significantly reduce waste.

Some examples of sustainable business practices include:

• Energy Efficiency: Reduce your energy consumption and carbon footprint by using energy-efficient equipment. Switch lighting to LEDs or energy efficient options. Also consider installing motion sensors for office lighting and remind employees to turn the lights off when they leave a room. Use programmable power strips to eliminate phantom power, which can add to your power bill and carbon footprint.
  
• Waste Reduction: Take your paper and plastics recycling program to the next level by including glass and metals and providing a composting program for food scraps. Offer employees reusable mugs and replace plastic utensils with biodegradable options, such as paper straws and wooden cutlery. Consider recycling or donating office electronic waste.
  
• Go Paperless: In this digital age, consider whether paper is necessary in your office environment. Most documents can be sent and shared via email, which saves on printing costs. Most offices rely on someuse of paper, so consider recycled options, which aren’t as costly.

• Consider Renewable Energy: Using solar, wind, or geothermal energy sources can be costly, and certain technologies aren’t effective in every region. Consider these options and look into incentive programs to determine whether this approach would be a worthwhile investment.

Get Employees Involved

Sustainability principles should be weaved into all aspects of an organization, from products and services, to operations and employee management.

Demonstrating how your company is taking action when it comes to environmental awareness can help attract employees to your organization, especially younger generations that want to feel they’re part of a greater mission or purpose when they come to work. 

Encourage employees to get involved by communicating the importance of sustainability, encouraging feedback, implementing policies that influence employee behaviour, and providing eco-friendly facilities.

Sustainable practices in the workplace can help reduce operating costs, build a positive corporate reputation, and contribute to a healthier planet and society. Contact us so we can work together to create solutions that work best for you and your organization.

Suggested Reading

Why Sustainability is Crucial for Corporate Strategy

Types of Corporate Social Responsibility to Be Aware Of

Additional Resources

A Call for Accountability and Action: The Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey

Changing Climate of Sustainability (Neilsen Report)