{summary#bullet-1}
Why make the office sustainable?
A sustainable company is not only recognized by the great choices made at management level, but also by the small daily gestures of those who work there. There are many things that can be done every day to makesustainable office and involve everyone in creating a greener work environment.
Making sustainable choices in the company will make the staff more responsible on environmental issues, more involved and closer to the values of the company and those who work there, creating a positive and attractive climate for new talents and for all those interested in sustainability issues. In addition, it reduces waste and also assures the company an economic advantage.
{summary #bullet -2}
10 rules for a sustainable office
Sustainability starts with small things: here are a series of daily actions that you can implement to contribute to create a sustainable environment in the company, small simple gestures that everyone can easily put into practice.
- Recycle paper in a creative way: for some companies, however sustainable and digitally oriented, it is not possible to do without paper.
A great example of not wasting this precious material would be to use old printouts to take notes for the next meeting.
- Take the stairs: up and down between floors of the office? Turn the boredom of walking into a pleasant exercise by using the stairs instead of the elevator.
On the stairs you can have a chat with colleagues and colleagues, you keep in shape and you save electricity, using only the strength of your muscles.
- The rule of the perfect snack: long work shifts become more pleasant if you divide them with a light and tasty meal, perhaps vegetarian.
If you don't feel like preparing it at home, choose delivery companies that are attentive to their environmental impact and take advantage of any leftovers for the next lunch break.
- Sustainable office even during a coffee break: we could never propose to anyone to give up the coffee break, in Italy it is sacred and it is also a moment of sharing between colleagues and colleagues. However, we can reduce the use of plastic and disposable cups.
Choose many different cups so that everyone has their own and can be washed with a single dishwasher cycle at the end of the day.
- Choose tap water: in many Italian municipalities, tap water is perfectly drinkable. If you're not sure if the same applies to where your office is located, buy a filter; you'll solve the problem quickly and easily. You will save on the purchase of bottled water and you will automatically reduce your plastic consumption.
Even bottles personalized with the company logo are a good idea.
- Share a passage: does a colleague live in the same neighborhood as you? Pick it up so you can reduce your use of cars.
Or go together by public transport or, when the weather permits, by bike: you will take the opportunity to get to know each other better and strengthen the bond between the members of the team.
- A sustainable company has green offices, in the true sense of the word: having plants in the work environment helps to reduce stress levels, be more productive, improves air quality, and makes the office happier and more beautiful!
You can choose them as a group and create shifts to take care of them. We are sure that sitting at the desk will become more pleasant.
- Reduce the digital emissions: a very simple gesture that reduces emissions in the office? Unplug appliances that are not in use.
Even choosing dark mode on PCs and phones helps to reduce emissions (and reduces the harmful effects of blue light on monitors).
- Mail or not mail? Still speaking of digital issues, did you know that even sending an email or doing a Google search are activities that produce CO₂ eq? Instead, why not take a walk to your colleague's office and talk face to face?
- Share sustainable choices: to make staff more aware, it is essential to talk more often about their sustainable choices.
Cite examples of sustainable companies you admire, spread interesting articles in group chats and challenge colleagues to those who can do more days without using plastic!
