Sustainable office that reduces costs and improves processes

The majority of offices spend more than they need to. Some of that money is wasted on unnecessary printing, plastics for single use, and devices that are constantly under power. The good news? There is a lot one can do quickly, without facing painful changes. It only requires a few sensible habits that have their effect every day and which people in the team will easily accept.

Less paper is the key

Start with what can be changed with a single click: setting of printing. Default double-sided printing and black-and-white printing will reduce consumption immediately. Make it a rule to only print what must physically be given to the customer, for signature or for accounting purposes. Everything else belongs in the cloud. Short templates for contracts, confirmations, and notes save toners and time. When paper is still needed, choose wisely: use recycled or paper with verified certification (FSC, EU Ecolabel). 
In the kitchen and restrooms, dispensers that dose precisely will help, and regarding paper towels, it is quality that matters more than quantity. If the paper is not of sufficient quality, it will be used up more quickly. 

Less plastic without compromise

The easiest step to make is to switch from disposable cups to carafes and glasses or refillable bottles. Having filtered water available on hand reduces the need for PET bottles and people drink more, which is a plus for both health and productivity. In the kitchen, make reusable dishes available and if a disposable solution is needed, use certified paper or wood and clearly specify where they should be disposed. Clear pictograms placed on the bins will be more efficient than half-hour meetings on sorting.

If your company receives a lot of shipments, agree on simple packaging rules with your suppliers: sizes of boxes tailored to the goods (no unnecessary “double boxing”), less filling, preferring the use of paper tape, and grouping orders into one package when possible. For regular deliveries, consider returnable crates or reusable packaging.

Save energy

In many offices, devices remain switched on longer after working hours than we think. Devices that are "just dormant" can waste hundreds of euros a year. Automatic sleep modes (15 minutes of inactivity for PCs, 5 minutes for monitors), power strips in meeting rooms, and a simple rule can help: the last person to leave presses the "main switch." Monitor brightness also makes a big difference - 80-90% brightness is the standard that saves both eyes and electricity.

If possible, switch to LED lighting and consider motion sensors in corridors and restrooms - these are small changes with a quick payback.

Vermicomposter with earthworms

Your kitchen bin does not have to smell or fill up unnecessarily. A closed vermicomposter with Californian red worms offers an elegant solution. It fits in a small kitchen, functions at normal room temperature, and does not smell if filled correctly. Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and tea bags without clips can be placed in it. 

Leave out meat, dairy products, oils, and strongly spiced leftovers. Cover each layer with pieces of "brown material" (egg cartons, paper towels) to maintain the right moisture level and prevent flies from breeding. The bonus? Once every few weeks, you will get compost and "compost tea" for watering your office plants (dilute the tea approximately in 1:10 ratio). The result? Less organic waste in the trash + more plants in the office.

How to get started in the team

People do not need another guideline. They need the change to be simple and logical. Set it the way that a green solution is the most convenient: default double-sided printing, carafes with water placed on the desk, pictograms by the trash bins, dispensers where one´s hand intuitively reaches for them. 
Keep communication short and to the point. Instead of big promises, try small, specific challenges. Show the results at the end of the month: how many packages of paper or how many plastic bags you have saved. Numbers are more motivating than slogans.

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