A sustainable workplace seeks to achieve the balance of the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit to have long-term success and viability. Sustainable workplaces focus on protecting the safety, health, and welfare of their workforce. In a post-COVID-19 world, companies need to start focusing on workplace sustainability. In this article, we are going to explore the various ways of designing a sustainable workplace.
1. Reduce & Recycle
Companies that desire to design sustainable workplaces must focus on the guiding principles of reducing and recycling. While companies will need to operate above the current jurisdictional energy codes, by consistently integrating the core concepts of reduction and recycle, they will be able to adapt their workspaces for the future to meet the challenging goals of alleviating the effects of climate change.
Recycling is the easiest way to make your office more environmentally friendly. Companies can simply set up recycling bins at strategic locations in the office. Unlike in the past, companies may need to review their reuse policies to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
2. Go Paperless
This is the age of digitization. Organizations are doing a lot of work to ensure they become paperless, however, this may not be an option for companies that are paper-heavy. In this case, papers can be recycled and the settings on your network can be changed so that paper is printed on both sides.
With the rapid spread of COVID-19, digital documents have become the best way to store and retrieve information without the risk of infection. Digital documents also reduce clutter in the office and enhance collaborative work, especially in a hybrid workplace.
3. Reduce Energy
Many commercial tenants will find that the energy savings provided by renting in green buildings pay for any difference in rent paid for leasing the space. One study showed that LEED-certified buildings typically reduce energy usage and associated costs by 25 percent and that overall, spaces in green buildings can lower operating costs by an average of 19 percent.
Here are some quick and easy ways to save energy in the office:
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Ensure office temperature is the right balance of comfort and cost
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Install energy-efficient light globes in the office and consider sensor lighting for areas that don’t need to be constantly lit
4. Invest in Workplace Plants
Not only do plants beautify workspaces, but they can also help in uplifting the overall atmosphere of your workplace, and reduce stress and anxiety for the employees. Plants also emit oxygen and reduce air pollution, making the air in your workplace cleaner and healthier to breathe. According to a report by NASA, indoor plants reduce 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours. Also, indoor plants can reduce noise pollution, which is particularly important in an open-plan workplace.
As employees slowly return to the office due to COVID-19, it is beneficial to have plants located strategically in the workplace, so they can feel at ease and have less social anxiety. Psychologists at Exeter University found that employees are happier and perform better when there are living plants in the workplace.
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