Did you know that global temperatures are rising at an alarming rate, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record coming after 2001? Or that Arctic sea ice has shrunk by 3.5-4.1% every decade since 1979? With one of the strongest recorded hurricanes in history recently hitting the Atlantic, it’s unsurprising that climate change is one of the most important topics this century.
As an eco-friendly business centre based on the rural outskirts of Leeds, we’ve always appreciated the wonders of nature and as a result have been proactive in doing our bit for the environment. And over the last few years, we’ve noticed even more businesses following suit and making an effort to ‘go green’. We’ve seen companies invest in eco-friendly products, offer options for remote working, and even set up their own ‘green committee’.
At Carrwood Park we’re proud to apply the ‘Three Rs’ – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – to meet both international standards and our own environmental targets. Some ways we meet these targets include using carpet made from recycled plastic bottles, enhancing building insulation to reduce wasted heat, and sorting 100% of our waste for recycling.
Since introducing these strategies, we’ve noticed a whole load of benefits across the business, our residents, and our team.
Make a real difference to the environment
Even the smallest things can have such a positive impact on the environment. With 150 acres of rainforest lost every minute, going paperless – or at least making a conscious effort to reduce the amount you and your company use – can make a real difference. At Carrwood, we’ve been taking this one step further with a tree planting scheme to offset the environmental impact of our business park. We have over 1,200 trees across the 100 acres that make up Carrwood Park!
Meet UK recycling targets
Did you know that at Carrwood Park we sort 100% of our waste for recycling, which means just 16-18% goes to a landfill site? With the recycling targets for UK businesses at 75% by 2020, recycling should be a focal point in your business.
It’s easy to implement in everyday office life too! Ensure that your office has enough recycling bins, make an effort to separate the recyclables from non-recyclables on your office clear-outs, or even try introducing a rewards scheme for the top recyclers. At Carrwood Park we like to think about the bigger picture too, using office furniture with up to 50% recycled content…
Reduce business costs
Becoming more eco-friendly can save your business a lot of money too. Even something as simple as using refillable pens can save you a surprising amount of money in the long run. Furniture made of natural materials like wool tends to be easier to clean than other materials, which means you can save costs with cleaning. And just think about how much money you could save by getting your employees to print double-sided! Remember that it all adds up.
A better working environment
Research suggests that introducing greenery to the office boosts employee productivity, motivation and happiness. Plants can reduce the amount of CO2, dust and mould in the air, not only contributing to cleaner air around the office but also in your local community.
Companies with ‘green committees’ can reap the benefits of a better working environment too; encouraging your employees to work towards a mutual cause can really bring your team closer together. This strengthened team spirit combined with the effects of a greener office helps to carve a better working environment for both your business and your employees.
Improve business sustainability
Did you know that working towards a greener environment has a positive impact on the sustainability of your business? This means that if you have methods in place to deal with rising costs due to climate change and you’re less dependent on natural resources than your competitors, you have a greater chance of long-term success. And if you consider the fundamentals of business sustainability (profits, people, and the planet) it makes sense really…
Become a haven for wildlife
Depending on where you focus your environmental efforts, you could even build up a haven for wildlife around your office. This won’t be a fast process and is likely to take months, if not years, to build up, but it’s totally worth it! Not only does this help improve employee happiness and motivation, but you’ll find that it becomes a great talking point for any prospective clients or employees…
As a business that was originally built on farmland, we’ve always been at one with nature. Did you know we’re home to two pairs of nesting red kites? You may even spot one on your next visit!
Are you interested in working from an eco-friendly business centre in the heart of Yorkshire? At Carrwood Park we offer a variety of business growth solutions from serviced offices and co-working spaces to meeting rooms and virtual offices. Why not get in touch with our team now to find out how we can help?
