Boost Sustainability & Cut Costs: Transform Your Office into an Eco-Friendly Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic created a seismic shift in working patterns.  Three years later organisations are still grappling with hybrid teams and how to balance productivity with employee experience. 

An upshot of these huge changes has been an increased spotlight on sustainability and the impact working and commuting has on the environment. 

As the cost of living crisis and inflation put pressure on businesses to make cutbacks, office managers may be surprised to find that making more environmentally friendly choices can go hand in hand with improving your bottom line. 

Here are some practical steps to make your office more sustainable, reduce your company’s carbon footprint, and create a healthier and happier workplace for your employees.

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Negotiate Business Energy Rates for Green Savings and Renewable Power

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Locked into a fixed rate contract? No problem.  Many people are unaware that unlike consumer energy rates business rates can be negotiated. 

Energy brokers can help you find a better money-saving deal, but also help you to move to 100% renewable sources. 

‍Ecotricity is Britain’s leading green energy supplier.  They reinvest their customers’ bills into creating new energy sources including wind and sunmills across the UK. 

Ask Your Cleaner for Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

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Just as every office needs energy, every office depends on their hardworking cleaners.  And the majority are often happy and able to switch to more eco-friendly products. 

Our supplier Nuserve, a B Corp, has a net zero carbon footprint, uses eco friendly products, and is a living wage corporation.

Cleaners can also help stock your office with eco- friendly toilet paper and sanitary items such as biodegradable and organic menstrual products from &SISTERS. You can also improve your recycling and waste management with companies like First Mile, who can recycle your coffee grounds, ink cartridges and toners, and electricals.

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Promote Eco-Friendly Commuting and Supplier Choices for a Greener Workplace

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Updating your expenses policy could mean allowing staff to claim for public transport - including electric black cabs and taxis - but not diesel or petrol mileage. Many companies already offer incentives for staff to trade in their cars for electric alternatives, or offer government-backed cycle to work schemes. 

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You could also update your list of suppliers and encourage staff to prioritise environmentally friendly snack and coffee options. Our suppliers include Pact Coffee, who work directly with farmers and pay at least 25% above the Fairtrade base price.

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Deforestation-free paper

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If your paper suppliers can’t say where their stationery, kitchen towels or toilet paper comes from then they can’t guarantee that they are not contributing to deforestation. Companies like Who Gives A Crap offer a great sustainable alternative.  If you’re looking to update your paper suppliers, make sure they are FSC certified or 100% recycled. 

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Enhance Office Ambiance and Air Quality with Eco-Friendly Greenery and Plant Décor

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Office plants don’t just look pretty, they also help filter air pollution and create a calm workspace. Hanging baskets, flower boxes and planters on balconies or green roofs all help support bees and insect life even in the most urban places.

Patch plants offer beautiful desk plants and larger greenery to really bring out the personality in your office, while Plant Plan can create green walls, moss panels and incorporate statement trees and plants into the fabric of your building for a truly bespoke design.

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Measure your carbon footprint

Working out your office’s carbon footprint sounds complex but there are some easy guides that can give you a rough idea. Try Carbon Trust’s online calculator for SMEs, WWF’s calculator for individuals or, for more in depth measurements, check out Carbon Chain or GHG Emissions Calculator.

Set measurable targets

Now you know the size of your office’s carbon footprint, you can help reduce it. Focus your time on fixing the areas that will make the biggest impact and make sure every area of your organisation has the right guidance to make it happen. 

Keeping a compelling scorecard and report monthly or quarterly to both your team but also your investors, clients and customers. By sharing your progress you’ll generate ‘buy in’ from all levels, but also could help nudge your own competitors or suppliers in the right direction. 

How to offset your carbon footprint

Reducing your office and workers’ carbon footprint is the priority, but offsetting is another tool to become more sustainable. Gold Standard, set up by the WWF, is a global player. And if plane travel is a must, try comparing and booking flights with FlyGreen, who will offset your emissions by supporting solar projects in Chad. 

Clara Office Management: Your Partner in Achieving Eco-Friendly Office Goals and Budget Savings

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Clara Office Management can help you make your office as sustainable as possible and meet your sustainability and budget targets, too.

We have done much of the hard work already, from researching and sourcing the best and most cost effective eco-friendly suppliers, to making it easy for you to switch over.

Find out more about how we can work together here or get us for a free consultation from our dedicated concierge - info@claraom.io

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