How to maintain an environmentally friendly office

Kate Simmons — With global warming, toxic waste, and contaminated oceans, both large corporations and individual environmentalists must do their part to cut down on pollution and energy waste. In much the same way that you recycle and monitor your energy use at home, you can extend green practices to your office environment. The participation and willingness of your coworkers can make or break your efforts for a greener work experience, so with a few steps to get your colleagues on your side, you will be on your way to sustainable practice.

Monitor Your Energy Use

Take an inventory of the thermostats in your office.  Make sure that your hot-natured coworker has not turned his cubicle into a large refrigerator and that your perpetually-chilly officemate has not created a sauna at the expense of Mother Earth. Using a programmable thermostat or a thermostat protector that requires a key will help cut down on unnecessary energy waste.

Unplug all unnecessary electronic devices when they are not in use. This includes digital cameras, hard drives, chargers, monitors, and computers. Check with your IT staff before unplugging all of the office PCs though; some computers may need to stay on for your particular office needs.

Check the lights in rooms that are not in constant use. Conference rooms, office kitchens, rest rooms, and break rooms should remain dark if they are not occupied. Post signs on office doors to remind coworkers to switch off the lights as they exit these spaces.

Make It a Team Effort

Wasteful coworkers can drain the energy from your office. Such individuals can be a source of frustration when their habits counteract your energy-saving tactics. Translate the teamwork strategies that help your business achieve success into your endeavors for a greener office.  Creating milestones, assigning responsibilities, and designating groups all help to keep coworkers responsible.

Divide your coworkers into units tasked with particular assignments. Put accounting in charge of paper recycling or ask your marketing department to create signs for your company’s green campaign. Offer prizes to the group who creates the most change in office practices.

If one of your coworkers is a natural leader, ask him/her to lead your cause. Assign tasks like monitoring the thermostat and electronic device use to that person in your office who is a stickler for rules. Putting the right people in charge of your green practices will help you make your cause successful.

Lastly, ask your coworkers to document their own use of energy and resources. Encourage them to use a desk fan or a space heater, rather than reaching for the thermostat. Remind them that bringing a sweater to the office uses much less energy than cranking up the heat a few degrees. Document the use of paper and copies, along with other resources like ink, toner, and staples. Advise your colleagues to opt for electronic transmissions over the old-fashioned paper copies. An office with regulated policies on paper use and copier privileges will see a decrease in the number of handouts at the next meeting and an increase in online document sharing. Such steps, though small, will add up to keep your office green and eco-friendly.

 

About the Author

Kate Simmons is a fresh graduate currently working as an office administrator who enjoys writing about the environment.