Guest Post: Offices Can Be Colored Green Too

Whether you run a business or are just one of a number of employees that show up for work on a daily basis, just how green is your office space?

If your office is not that green to speak of, you could be losing out on several fronts, including bringing in more customers.

According to a 2010 Harris Interactive Study, more than 60 percent of American adults are either equally as likely or more apt to come to a business that zeroes in on being green, that is despite the distance or effort necessary to get there.

So, whether you own or just work for the company, take a look around the office to see if you’re doing any or all of the following:

 

* Recycling – One of the easiest and most productive means of going green, is your company recycling cans, bottles, papers, and more. It is not uncommon for many workers to bring bottles of water, cans of soda etc. to the office on a daily basis. Make sure that you set up a container for such waste, making it easy for your employees to deposit their products afterwards. The same holds true for your office copy paper, newspapers etc. To reward your employees for their efforts, consider setting up a contest to see who recycles the most, then consider giving them a gift card or a couple of hours of time off each month;

 

* Temperature – It is not uncommon for one or more employees to either be cold or too hot in the office on a daily basis. While running air conditioning and heat at times during the year is nearly impossible to escape, you can go about saving money most of the year. Have you ever been in an office in the wintertime where the air conditioning is actually cranked up so high you begin to shiver? Yes, it is not uncommon for businesses small and large to run the A/C in the winter. All that does is waste money, so look for alternatives. Make sure your building has proper circulation, along with running fans where needed. Typically you should open office blinds as wide as possible in the winter to let the sun in to warm the building, while doing the opposite in the dead of summer to keep the heat out, meaning less usage of the air conditioner. While many offices have windows that purposely do not open, check on those that do for any cracks, whereby air and heat can escape;

 

* Transportation – Even though it is inevitable that some employees (especially those in sales) will have to pay calls on customers, limit the usage of any company vehicles so that you not only cut down on your fuel bills, but also lessen the impact of emissions polluting the air. Encourage your employees to get on a walking program if they are not already, especially if just going a few blocks to meet with a client, pick up lunch etc. While some areas of the country require travel by vehicle, many others simply require a good pair of walking shoes;

 

* Food – Last but not least, there are very few employees who do not like to eat. With that in mind, encourage your workers to consider bringing home-grown organic foods to the office. While this can save your employees money over time, it can also assist them in eating healthier. Much like the recycling idea, you can consider running a contest during the year that rewards the person who successfully grows the most items. When you offer a reward to employees, you will find that such contests draw much more participation and enthusiasm.

As a business owner or employee, what are you doing in the office to make this a greener planet?

Photo credit: earth911.com

 

 

About the Author: With 23 years’ writing experience, Dave Thomas covers a variety of business topics, including finding the best cubicles for your office space.

Sign up to the TGF daily feeds on Twitter, Facebook, RSS or our weekly/monthly updates.