Businesses of all sizes and industries have a responsibility to carry out environmentally-friendly practices. In order to meet environmental targets, the government is urging businesses to become greener and show Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
As the Green Business Centre notes:
“CSR is an important way of demonstrating consideration of social, economic and environmental impacts, and can lead to an increased competitive advantage, increase reputation and build consumer and stakeholder trust.”
As well as helping businesses be seen in a more responsible light, green offices help give workers a wellbeing and productivity boost. With a little commitment, focus and creativity, offices can become significantly greener, to the benefit of the company as well as those who occupy the workspace.
Carrwood Park, which prides itself on being an eco-friendly office space, explores the benefits of making offices more sustainable and why it’s time to move your business into greener workspace.
Recycling
Recycling is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways for offices to become more sustainable and show CSR. As recycling targets for UK businesses are 75% by 2020, it stands to reason, recycling should be high on the list of priorities for businesses.
By simply placing recycling containers or bins in the office space that specifically cater for different types of waste, such as plastics, paper and food, can save a business a lot of money by cutting disposal costs and receiving a monetary rebate by recycling secondary materials.
But above all, disposing of office waste responsibly, make a big difference to the environment, reducing the amount of waste that gets sent to the landfill and the number of toxins that make their way into ecosystems.
LED lighting
Switching to LED lighting in the office comes with a myriad of benefits. Not only does this more efficient type of lighting reduce the energy usage of the office by up to 80%, but it can also have a more positive affect on the mood and wellbeing of people working in the office.
Studies show that using LED lighting in a working environment instead of conventional lightbulbs, provides a healthier and more productive working environment, positive affecting mood, vitality and performance, and increasing productivity by at least 3%.
Greenery in the office
Introducing plants into the office shows positive, green practices, which, again, can bring both psychological and physical benefits to occupants of the office. One study found that having plants in the office can reduce anxiety and tension by 37%, depression by 58%, anger and hostility by 44% and fatigue by 38%.
As well as the many psychological benefits of bringing nature inside in a working environment, green features make a stylish addition to the office, injecting some colour and life into the work space.
Become a haven for wildlife
Environmental efforts can even result in office space becoming a haven for wildlife. For example, Carrwood Park, which was originally built on farmland and prides itself at being ‘at one’ with nature, is home to two pairs of nesting red kites!
If 2018 comes with aspirations for your business to become more corporately responsible and give your team a wellbeing and productivity boost in the process, you may want to consider moving into environmentally-friendly office space at Carrwood Park.