How to make your office green

Greening your space, reducing environmental impact, and carbon emissions is on everybody’s priority list. There is an expectation that organisations and individuals need to do their part in saving the planet.

 

Not to miss a beat, charities are working on ways to achieve net zero emissions. To get started, we go over simple ways to increase sustainability and green the office.

 

 

Start calculating your impact

 

The first step is to assess and evaluate how much of an impact you are making. Online calculators help make it clear. Arguably the most comprehensive one is the MacKay Carbon Calculator. The government-backed digital tool has four levers to measure impact against. Charities can then select specific reduction goals and work towards them.

 

For a simpler view of impact, use the WWF online calculator. The platform goes through a series of questions and evaluates the impact of each individually. The output lets you know whether you’re on target to meet the UK’s carbon neutral goal by 2045.

 

 

Put together a sustainability plan

 

Setting out organisational goals and procedures helps reinforce habits. At Charity Digital, we are strong supporters of formalising data and digital strategies. Sustainability is no less serious. Charities looking to for a quick start should check out Voluntary Action’s environmental policy sample template. 

 

 

Engage staff with in-person and digital events

 

To get your colleagues excited and motivated, launch your environmental targets with pomp. Unveil how you will be achieving your goals through digital and in-person events. For those who are motivated to do more, start office challenges to recycle and reduce waste.

 

 

Use certified office supplies

 

Ensuring the sustainable use of office supplies is easy. Pick paper products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The logo means that products have gone through proper diligence and sourcing.

 

Other similar agencies that confirm sustainability criteria are The Rainforest Alliance and the United Nations led REDD+ programme. Using these types of products can give you the comfort of knowing you aren’t using controversial raw materials.

 

 

Enable devices for stand-by modes and timed shut downs

 

As long as they are not fully powered off, digital devices consume energy regardless of whether you are using them. To reduce the impact, American Express says that digital devices should be set to stand-by when not in use. Another tip here is to get rid of screen savers to save on electricity costs.

 

 

Participate in city bike schemes

 

Help staff get fit and reduce their environmental impact. Participating in cycle to work schemes helps reduce carbon emissions and saves between 25-39% of the cost of a new bike.

 

The UK’s Cyclescheme allows employees to deduct the costs from their salary pre-tax over a number of payments, making it tax and cash efficient.

 

 

Sign-up to a carbon neutral programme

 

For charities dedicated to on-going carbon neutrality, getting onto an external programme helps to stay on track. Carbon Neutral Britain’s programme helps businesses reduce their impact and supports carbon offsetting projects. Successful organisations get to use the certification logo.

 

 

Switch energy providers

 

Look at your utility bill to see whether your energy provider uses renewable sources. If you’re looking to make a change, check out Octopus and Green Energy. Octopus offers electricity from 100% from renewable sources, while Green Energy supplies both green gas and electricity.

 

 

Keep plants in your office

 

Plants and greenery in the office go a long way. Not only do they help add cheer and improve wellbeing, plants are miniature air filters.

 

WeWork, an office space provider, says that plants not only clean the air, but they relieve stress and boost productivity. For charities, plants are a cheap and cheerful way of enhancing the office setting while reducing environmental impacts.

 

 

Establish hybrid and remote working styles

 

Hybrid and remote working saves commuting into the office and associated emissions. Digital working arrangements also reduce the need for office space and stationary. The kicker here is to save on rent. To fully benefit, make sure that your remote and hybrid working policies are established so that you can downsize on office space.

 

 

Recycle used hardware

 

Keep hardware waste to a minimum by donating used printers, mobile phones, and computers. Work with other charities to maximise your donation. The Turing Trust hosts a computer recycling programme to help students in Africa and the UK. The charity collects unwanted computers are no cost. To support donors tracking social impacts, the Turing Trust produces a section in their annual reports on how they have helped targeted communities.