As Kermit the Frog once sang, it’s not easy being green. With alarms beginning to sound the world over regarding our imminent environmental situation, it may feel pointless going green in the face of such adversity. That said, even if it only makes a small difference, a great many people choosing to make that small difference adds up considerably. #
The fact of the matter is that our planet is heating up rapidly, which of course brings considerable obstacles for humankind to adjust and adapt to in the coming years and decades. We only have to think back to how unbearably hot the summer was in the UK, with the tarmac even melting at Luton Airport.
So even if you choose to make only a small change or two, it’s still something that could contribute toward a solution. Furthermore, you can at least remove your sense of guilt around your carbon footprint. In this piece, we’ll outline 5 ways in which you can make a difference.
1: Encourage reusable beverage containers
Single use plastics are among the many harmful things about our environment, particularly plastic or Styrofoam cups. They are non-biodegradable, meaning they can spend years polluting the environment, even ending up in our oceans and rivers. Not only will you save the environment, but you’ll also save money on ordering these non-biodegradable containers. Consider flasks for hot drinks or reusable water bottles for colder beverages.
2: Decrease the brightness of your company devices
It may seem like a minor adjustment, but reducing the brightness of each device can save a whole load of energy in the long run. The need to charge will be reduced considerably for both laptop and mobile devices, which when collated through an entire office, can ultimately save you quite a bit of money. A surprisingly effective method with minimal adjustment required – maybe it is easy being green.
3: Think about modernising your office
It would be fair to say that a lot of offices in the UK weren’t built with the environment in mind, so perhaps it’s time for you to bring your office space into the 21st century to reflect contemporary concerns. It might be worth considering a serviced office from BE Offices, which could be of huge help in realising this ambition.
4: Centralise or minimise the rubbish bins
What’s less wasteful: a rubbish bin for every employee, or one centralised recycling bin? Again, this would only constitute a minor change, but the savings on bin liners will be noticeable in the longer term. Not to mention, it becomes a lot likelier that employees will recycle rather than throw everything into the same bin. Of course, bigger offices can have more bins available, but not everyone needs an individual bin.
5: Encourage the hybrid and remote working models
Not only can such models improve employee wellbeing and flexibility, but the environmental benefits can be huge. With fewer commuters on the road, the longer term adds up to fewer emissions and a lower environmental impact as a result. On days employees have to come in, encourage carpooling, cycling or taking public transport instead of driving if at all possible.
