The Employee Push for Eco-Friendly Workplaces

Sustainability is a priority for companies and individual employees. Businesses consume energy and burn fossil fuels daily, leading to searches for more eco-friendly alternatives. How can your workplace become more ecologically sound? The options range from minor fixes to more detailed projects. Here’s how modern companies can become more environmentally friendly. 

 

What Do Employees Say About Eco-Friendliness?

 

Eco-friendly efforts have evolved into a requirement for the modern business landscape. Employees and job-seekers have voiced their environmental concerns and want more sustainable practices. A 2023 survey found that 69% of workers want their employers to invest in sustainability campaigns. These efforts may include reducing their carbon footprint or waste in the office. 

The eco-friendly demand doesn’t solely lie with your employees. Job-seekers also prioritise sustainability when they search for their next employer. A 2022 survey revealed that 71% of people find a company more attractive when it implements environmentally friendly policies.

Your business must also be aware of consumer opinion and how they view your company. While they don’t work in the office, people can read reports on your organisation’s sustainability efforts. For example, consider the younger generations and their preferences. Gen Z and millennials are 27% more likely to purchase from a brand if it demonstrates environmental care.  

 

How Can Workplaces Become More Eco-Friendly?

 

Creating eco-friendly workplaces requires a shift in business thinking. What can your company do to lower its environmental impact? Here are six innovative strategies for a more ecologically sound office. 

 

Smart Lighting Fixtures

 

LED lights are a simple way to increase your workplace’s sustainability. These devices produce bright lights requiring less energy than your average incandescent bulb. Experts say LED products are about 90% more efficient than incandescent and emit less heat. These fixtures help your office stay cool when employees want to crank up the air conditioner in the summer. 

You can further reduce your workplace’s energy consumption by incorporating smart lighting fixtures. These devices have sensors to detect when people enter and exit a particular room and will turn off the lights when empty. This feature helps your office be conscious of energy consumption and ensures employees don’t waste it. 

 

Solar Panels

 

While saving energy is excellent, consider how your buildings source it. Some electrical grids rely on fossil fuels, so the power you consume might not be the most sustainable. Your workplace can help grids by installing solar panels. 

A solar array harnesses the sun’s rays and produces energy for your facility. Solar production reduces your reliance on electrical grids and ensures ethically sourced power. Experts say the world burns about 4,000 times more fossil fuels than it did in the 18th century, so reducing reliance on them is critical. 

 
Solar panels are an excellent strategy for helping the planet and have become more affordable for Australian businesses. You can get a tax rebate depending on your state and city and how much energy your workplace consumes. 

 

 

Recycling Efforts

 

Incorporating recycling efforts is another simple way to make your workplace more sustainable. Designated bins are an excellent start because your employees can dispose of their cardboard, glass, paper and other commonly used products in the office. Separating nonrecyclable trash from salvageable items reduces your waste and contributions to landfills. 

Workplace waste goes beyond coffee cups and discarded paper. Consider your office’s e-waste when getting rid of old electronics. Australia’s National Television and Recycling Scheme (NTRS) lets you drop off personal computers, laptops, monitors and other devices your company likely uses. Most locations will take your items for free, whereas others may charge a small fee.  

 

Bicycle Racks

 

Eco-friendliness also extends to your workplace’s exterior. How do your employees get to work? Public transportation and walking may be prevalent in dense cities, but these options are less accessible in rural areas. Incentivise your employees to make their commutes more eco-friendly by providing the proper infrastructure.

For example, your workplace should install bicycle racks outside the office to promote sustainable transportation. This structure makes it easy to bring bikes to the office each day. Ensure the rack is accessible for all bike types because the locking mechanisms may differ. Bicycles have zero carbon emissions, so they’re a terrific strategy to reduce cars in the parking lot. 

 

Green Roofs

 

Green roofs are another worthwhile outdoor project for workplaces. This involves placing vegetation on the roof to reduce the heat island effect. The blazing sun beats on top of buildings in summer, increasing interior temperatures. Urban areas are more vulnerable to this effect, with temperatures 1 C to 3 C  higher than in rural areas. 

These rooftops take advantage of plants and soil because they absorb the heat and keep your structure cooler. A more comfortable building is better for employees and helps you rely less on the air conditioning unit. 

 

Water Conservation

 

While energy efficiency is a significant focus, don’t forget about your workplace’s water consumption. Bathrooms, landscaping, kitchens and other areas use water daily, so finding ways to lower usage is essential. 

For example, low-flow toilets and faucets help your office use only the water it needs. Experts say incorporating efficient products could save Australians about $2 billion by 2030. These items lower your water consumption and heating, thus reducing your electricity and gas bills.  

 

Making the Workplace More Eco-Friendly

 

Sustainability efforts have become critical for the planet’s future. Industry leaders must lower emissions in the coming years to ensure succeeding generations have a healthy world to live in. Your workplace can do its part by listening to and addressing employees’ environmental concerns.

 

Author: Jack Shaw, senior writer for Modded Magazine, has spent over six years writing advice for seeing as much of the world as possible. Writings about his experiences and favourite destinations can be found in Travel Magazine, Trekaroo, and more. Reach him via LinkedIn with inquiries.

 

 
Solar panels are an excellent strategy for helping the planet and have become more affordable for Australian businesses. You can get a tax rebate depending on your state and city and how much energy your workplace consumes.