Of all the sources of modern garbage and waste, the workplace is considered one of the significant contributors. Regardless of the size of the place where you work, you can start to initiate small but significant changes to improve its sustainability. Even with simple gestures, you and your workmates can benefit from reducing wastage on electricity, time, and energy.
Armed with a sense of responsibility and unified goal to change for the better, here are some recommended ways to achieve a more efficient and sustainable workplace.
- Focus on priority work first. One of the first steps to achieving efficiency at work is to do first things first by learning to prioritize. Time is an essential resource we have and need to avoid wasting it by spending it smartly. Work productivity is not measured by how long you spend time at the office, but rather, the work accomplished within the time frame initially set. Modern companies are now gearing toward a production-based approach, a direction of lessening the time employees spend at the office to save on energy and other resources.
- Minimize printing on paper. With the advent of portable and internet technology, you don’t have to print everything now. Less important information and notices can be read on the computer instead of creating a hard copy. Another good thing is, you can access these documents anywhere you go, making printing unnecessary. Some contracts can now be electronically signed and are considered valid in the absence of a physical one. Also, paper is one of the most typical litter items we see in bins and dump yards, and printing less can significantly decrease garbage. Less paper can also save a great number of trees.
- Unnecessary office equipment should go. The recent innovations in electronics have also made other office equipment no longer necessary. One example is the fax machine; it has already been replaced by document scanners, which are transmittable via email. Offices don’t need to have photocopiers, training manuals, or product presentations that can’t be distributed electronically, to minimize the use of papers as well. Electronic equipment consumes energy when plugged in, so it is only practical to get rid of it. Hire a company catering to junk removal in New York City to dispose of old office machines.
- Conserve energy. One of the ways to save electricity is to replace incandescent with compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs. CFL and LED emit brighter light but are more efficient. Natural light is also a better option, so make use of it whenever it’s available. Computers and other electronic equipment should be shut down when leaving the office. No one will use them for more than 10 hours after all of you leave, and imagine the energy wasted when they’re still consuming power.
Other than what is discussed above, there are more ways you can make your workplace more eco-friendly and sustainable. You can also implement recycling and reuse practices to minimize items that go to waste. Having a sustainable workplace allows the business to save on energy costs, and in turn, can be converted to cash incentives for all employees.