Blog
5 Sustainability in the Workplace Ideas
Last updated: May, 2023
Thinking about shifting toward a sustainable future for your business? It’s a noble environmental goal and resonates with your current and future employees.
Today’s workforce, especially Millennials and Gen Z, want to work for companies that promote green initiatives.
96% of Gen Zers and Millennials are still pushing their respective companies to do more about climate change, and 40% would switch jobs over climate concerns.
This focus on sustainability also extends to purchasing behavior.
75% of Millennials will change their buying habits to favor environmentally-friendly products, and Gen Z shoppers are willing to spend 10% more on sustainable products.
By reducing your ecological footprint, you can attract top-tier talent and consumers who want to align with conscientious brands.
Ready to make that leap? Here are five practical sustainability-at-work ideas that will transform your office and embrace a greener, more responsible business model.
5 Sustainability in the Workplace Ideas
These five sustainability initiatives in the workplace will help you begin a journey towards an eco-friendly future.
1. Leverage Smart Technology
Adopting smart technology in the workplace is key to reducing your environmental impact.
Why?
It’s one of the biggest pieces of your carbon footprint.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings consume one-third of the world’s energy, and switching to the digitalization of buildings (sensor devices, smart plugs, thermostats, etc) can cut total energy use by as much as 10%.
Let’s break it down further with the Sustainability Enabled by Digital Transformation report “Smart Buildings” section.
- Switch to smart lighting control systems, and you can save between 35-40% of electricity consumed by lighting devices.
- Building Automation Systems with lighting, window, HVAC, and door control saves an additional 1-3% of electricity.
- Installing water flow monitoring devices can reduce your water consumption by 10%.
- Save 20-25% of electricity using AI and IoT to control and monitor HVAC systems.
RELATED: X Essential Sustainability Strategies for Businesses
2. Sustainable Transportation and Travel
Your daily work commute has a significant impact on the environment.
Let’s take a look at Germany.
Pre-2020, the country had 13 million regular commuters. Each covering a distance of 16.9 km per trip and totaling 439 million km traveled each workday.
73.4% of those kilometers are done by cars. With 200gr CO2/km emitted by vehicles on average, workers emit 64,504 tonnes of CO2 daily from commuting.
Yikes.
If you want to reduce your company’s footprint, you need to tackle how your employees get to and from work.
Some solutions include:
- Offering a fully remote or hybrid working model.
- Encouraging public transportation and carpools.
- Reducing plane travel and implementing a carbon offset program for essential flights.
What impact can you expect from these changes?
Switching to public transport can reduce emissions by 45%, and a hybrid working model can lower emissions by up to 70%.
RELATED: How to Make Your Company Carbon Neutral: A Step-By-Step Guide
3. Green Workplace Practices
Introducing green workplace practices is easier than you think.
A simple act like reducing computer screen brightness can lead to significant energy savings. According to a Harvard University professor, dimming from 100% to 70% can save up to 20% of a monitor’s energy.
Incorporating plants in the office not only elevates air quality but has an impact on employee morale and productivity. According to a study by Easy Offices, plants can increase productivity by 15%, reduce stress, and increase creativity.
Transitioning to a paperless office, recycling, and using eco-friendly cleaning products can also go a long way in making your workplace culture more eco-friendly.
RELATED: How Can Carbon Footprint Affect a Business? [Hint: It Reduces Your Profitability]
4. Sustainable Dining Options
Rethinking the menu in your workplace is a powerful step towards sustainability.
You can reduce your emissions by:
- Introducing vegetarian and vegan options is a strategic move towards reducing the environmental impact associated with meat production. People who follow a plant-based diet account for 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat more than 3.5 ounces of meat per day.
- Engaging with local farmers and suppliers for ingredients reduces transportation emissions, bolstering local economies and reducing your carbon footprint.
- Implementing a zero-waste strategy in your kitchen, focusing on reducing waste and encouraging recycling, further solidifying your commitment to the environment.
RELATED: X Biggest Business Benefits of Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
5. Employee Engagement Program in Sustainability
Why do you need an employee engagement program?
Well, it’s central to achieving your emission reduction goal.
Without involving your employees in a meaningful way and making them active participants in your sustainability plan, you’ll struggle to achieve net zero.
But how do you get everyone on board?
Using a platform like Emission Sentri.
It engages and educates employees about sustainability practices, offering insights on your collective progress and actionable AI recommendations for fostering behavioral change.
The result?
Your employees understand your goals more deeply, creating a sense of ownership and responsibility at work and home.
Pioneering Change in Corporate Sustainability
Embracing these sustainability strategies represents a commitment to environmental stewardship and a shift towards a future where businesses and nature coexist harmoniously.
By adopting these practices, your company will reduce its environmental footprint and inspire a culture of responsibility and awareness.
Start fostering sustainable behavior shifts in the workplace.