Improve the Company’s Bottom Line by Greening the Office Space
In business, “going green” is more than a clever marketing slogan: it’s a way of acting responsibly toward your customers, employees, the environment, and your balance sheet.
Today, sustainability and environmental protection are not just a social responsibility, but also a smart strategy for achieving success in the competitive business environment. Working in an environment that consumes less energy and resources provides employees with a comfortable and peaceful environment.
Jode Roberts, Communications Director of the David Suzuki Foundation, a Vancouver-based environmental awareness organization says greening your workplace is one of the best ways to improve your company’s bottom line. Greening the office space has limitless possibilities – it starts with good furniture, good lighting, good air, and a little common sense.
What you can do to “green” your office quickly
- If you want to purchase and install office cubicles, why don’t you try preowned ones? ROSI Office Systems has a wide selection of refurbished cubicles that are as new. The use of refurbished and used cubicles is an innovative and sustainable solution to reduce environmental impacts such as greenhouse gases. These types of cubicles are produced from the refurbishment and reuse of existing equipment and can have positive impacts on the environment directly and indirectly. They maintain the same aesthetic appeal and durability.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. If you can, you can switch the furniture around to maximize natural daylight in the office. Plants will considerably improve fresh air circulation reducing your HVAC energy consumption.
- By adding plants to your workspace, you can have a positive impact on employee productivity and morale. Plants also improve air quality and help reduce ambient temperatures and negative environmental impacts. You can use potted plants, green walls and ceilings, and small gardens to create green spaces in your office. Plants can also reduce employee stress and boost your sense of well-being. By creating green spaces in your office, you are demonstrating your organization’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. This can inspire other companies and employees.
- To make your company green more quickly, use reusable bottles and mugs instead of plastic cups. You can provide your employees with colorful and attractive cups to encourage them to protect the environment.
- Try to minimize the use of paper in your workplace. If possible, set up intranet systems for colleagues to communicate with each other. If you need to print, use double-sided printing and recycled paper. Also, by placing a recycling station in your office, you can separate paper and other waste and return it to the recycling cycle.
How to green your office space?
1- Good Furniture
Refurbished office cubicles are an eco-friendly solution for businesses of any size. ROSI’s remanufactured Haworth cubicles are environmentally friendly because they are made with sustainable materials and recycled core components.
Additionally, you’ll find manufacturers such as Herman-Miller or Steelcase who have adopted the Cradle-to-Cradle protocol for many of their office chairs, featuring products that are designed at the outset to be recycled at the end of their usable life.
Waste and potentially harmful materials are eliminated through smart design at the beginning, providing raw materials that can be easily fed back into either a technical or biological cycle and used for the same or other purposes.
Good Lighting
Artificial lighting represents nearly 40 percent of electricity consumption in a typical office furniture building. While incandescent bulbs should be replaced with compact fluorescents at a minimum, it’s easier than ever to find a large selection of high-end LED office desk lamps that use minuscule amounts of energy.
What’s even better – open the blinds and let daylight in wherever possible. Not only is natural daylight a free source of lighting for the office but it has also been proven to improve worker productivity and satisfaction. And of course, don’t leave the lights on at night when everybody is gone.
Good Air
Workspace air quality is also crucial. Good ventilation and low-VOC paints and materials (including carpeting) will keep employees healthy. Plus, you can literally green your office with a selection of plants.
They absorb airborne pollutants and CO2 while returning oxygen. Having some green plants in the office also reduces that “sterile” look, making it more comfortable for everybody.
Common Sense
The drive to and from work can be long and tiresome, not to mention add to the world’s pollution levels. Using common sense can go a long way to helping the environment by cutting time and energy spent on the roads by telecommuting instead.
Instant messaging, video conferencing, and other innovative workflow tools make effective telecommuting easy. It will save you the time you would have spent on the roads and spare the air we breathe.
And, as a bonus, business casual = pajamas or sweatpants!
As we approach Earth Day – April 22nd – take some time to think about what environmentally beneficial changes you can make to your office.
The companies that take the time to make their offices “greener” will make a big impact on the environment…and on the company’s pocketbook.
Final Thoughts
ROSI Office Systems is the leading modern office furniture retailer and modern office cubicles in Houston, Texas. We have a wide variety of new and used office furniture for purchase and lease.
Our services include everything from design, manufacture, delivery, and installation. If you need any information about office furniture, including project planning, space planning, and furniture liquidation, ROSI has you covered.
John Ofield is a recognized expert in the office furniture and office cubicle industry, with over 40 years of experience. As the founder of ROSI Office Systems, he specializes in space planning, custom cubicle designs, and high-quality commercial furniture. John’s expertise helps businesses enhance productivity and collaboration. He is also dedicated to mentoring entrepreneurs and redefining workspaces to inspire success.
