10 Eco-Friendly Habits to Adopt
To reduce your environmental footprint, there are several simple and highly effective eco-friendly habits you can adopt at work.
1. Turn off the lights
Many businesses leave their lights on 24/7. We’ve all experienced walking past a storefront lit up day and night, even though the business is closed. To avoid wasting energy, remember to turn off all the lights before leaving work.
In some small businesses, it’s possible to ask the last employee to leave to turn off their lights. Timers are also available. Finally, when natural light is sufficient, there’s no need to use artificial lighting. You’ll be doing your bit for the environment, and your wallet will thank you.
2. Don’t leave devices on standby
According to EPA statistics, standby power consumption for electrical devices ranges from 300 to 500 kWh per year, representing 11% of an average household’s electricity bill. This unnecessary consumption can be even higher in company offices.
So, break the bad habit of leaving your electrical devices on standby. When you’re away or not using them, unplug devices that can be unplugged, such as lamps and phone chargers. Even on standby, these devices consume a significant amount of energy and negatively impact the environment.
3. Sort and recycle
For an eco-friendly office, implement recycling and waste sorting! Since 2016, the 5-stream decree has required companies to sort their waste into 5 categories: paper, metal, wood, plastic, and glass. If necessary, hire a dumpster rental to remove junk in bulk. Use efficient waste management practices!
It’s up to you to implement this and raise awareness among your employees about its importance. Also, make recycling a habit. Plastic, paper, coffee capsules… many items are reusable. Consider eliminating plastic cups and plates in favor of reusable tableware.
4. Manage the temperature
In winter, heating systems overheat. In summer, air conditioning runs at full blast. While comfortable to use, they are very energy-intensive and harmful to the planet.
Make sure to provide a comfortable working environment. If it’s hot, open the windows and encourage cross-ventilation. If it’s cold, insulate the windows and close the doors. With current technology, it’s possible to manage a room’s temperature with a smart, eco-friendly thermostat.
5. Avoid energy-intensive appliances
Some appliances consume more energy than others!
Identify the most energy-intensive appliances and replace them with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Screens, radiators, and even some kitchen appliances consume a significant amount of energy. For example, you can opt for laptops instead of desktop computers with one or two screens. This small eco-friendly gesture will noticeably reduce your energy consumption.
6. Save paper
Perhaps one of the easiest eco-friendly actions to adopt: avoid excessive paper consumption and prioritize digital solutions.
Don’t print excessively or unnecessarily. Raise awareness among your employees and choose to print only when necessary. Furthermore, you can use printed paper as scrap paper instead of throwing it away, or equip your printers with recycled paper.
7. Optimize your commute
A simple eco-friendly action to take every day concerns your commute between home and work.
To limit greenhouse gas emissions, opt for the train, bus, or bicycle to get to the office. Leave the car in the garage or parking lot and choose a more eco-friendly solution. And if you have no choice but to drive, why not try carpooling? This will allow you to save money and help the planet.
8. Consider teleworking
With the health crisis we have experienced and are still experiencing, teleworking has become the norm. In some countries, such as Spain, legislation has even been passed to reinforce this practice.
With the numerous collaborative tools available, it is easier to work remotely. Thanks to these new work arrangements, energy savings are achieved. With fewer employees in your offices, you consume significantly less energy. What’s more, your employees don’t need to commute and reduce their carbon footprint.
9. Opt for eco-friendly furniture
To become even more eco-conscious in the office, you can choose eco-friendly furniture.
This initiative involves selecting furniture with the smallest possible overall environmental footprint. Therefore, all aspects of furniture manufacturing are taken into account. Materials used, place of manufacture, transport time, origin of parts… We prioritize local and environmentally friendly products.
10. Choose eco-responsible suppliers
To strengthen your positioning, you may wish to work exclusively with eco-responsible suppliers. The environmental challenges are so significant today that many companies have adopted an environmental approach.
Whether you’re an electricity supplier, IT equipment supplier, or furniture supplier, don’t hesitate to choose partners who share your philosophy. All these eco-friendly actions will be ineffective without the widespread participation of your employees. Remember to raise their awareness and implement these actions daily.
By changing behaviors and promoting eco-friendly practices in the workplace, you are also making a positive impact on the planet.
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