Bureau Vert Ways to start the “Green” culture in the office and its benefits.

Introduction:

Last 2021, the global consumption of paper and paperboard totaled 417 million tons, and it is expected to grow (Statista Research Department, 2023). Paper and paper products came from wood, relatively, if we are expected to consume more, our ever-shrinking forests will inevitably continue its decline.

Having mentioned paper, most of us think of it as a small component in our daily lives, in our workplace, and in our homes. Used paper is normally considered trash or waste. Very seldom do we think about recycling our paper waste. Based on 2020 data, the Philippines produced a total of 21,4265,676 metric tons of garbage, 3,466,469 metric tons of it are coming from the National Capital Region, it consists of biodegradable, recyclable and residual wastes, these figures include paper and other paper products (Mayuga, 2021). With such projection and wastes in metric tons, how many times have we thought about using our resources, most especially in the office/workplace, with the idea of sustainability? Developing an organizational culture that is anchored in sustainability has great advantages not only for the company butalso for the people that work for the organization.?

This paper aims to discuss some ways to start such culture, benefits and ways leading to the “Green Office”, from the Management’s perspective.

The “Green Office” in this paper does not pertain to the physical structure but to the emerging culture of sustainability in businesses.

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Body:

Culture is defined as the customs and beliefs, art, way of life, and social organization of a particular country or group (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, n.d.). Organizational culture on the other hand is defined by Harvard Business Review asthe ways people in the organization behave and the attitudes and beliefs that inform those behaviors (i.e., “the way we do things around here”). From the company’s/firm’s perspective, they have a set of “desired” cultures (Yohn, 2021).

We can successfully try building the organizational culture according to Cote (2023) of Harvard Business School Online by the following:

1.Ensuring Alignment on Mission, Purpose, and Vision

2.Inspiring Confidence in the Face of Challenges

3.Leveraging Mistakes as a Source of Learning

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We take a deeper look on how we can incorporate the idea of sustainability into these ways.

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Ensuring Alignment on Mission, Purpose, and Vision

For us to incorporate the essence of sustainability or the concept of having a “Green Office”, it is important that the entire organization has a clear picture of what the company wants to achieve as a whole and what the organization must do to achieve their goals. By incorporating sustainability in the organization’s Mission and Vision, the organization will be guided. It will serve as their northern star. It will answer the question “how will we be able to get there?” and “what's in it for them?” as an employee of the organization. The organization, through their leaders must have a clear picture to present about the benefits of having a “Green Office” to the employees, the company itself and the environment similar to John Elkington’s TBL (triple bottom line). As we move further, the benefits of having the “Green Office” and simple ways to achieve that will also be discussed.

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Inspiring Confidence in the Face of Challenges

Dealing with the COVID19 Pandemic, deemed to be one of the world’s toughest challenges. The manner how the organization reacts to a crisis also shapes the culture in the organization. Crises in general are business adversities, it is for the organization to take it as a good time to teach the entire organization ways on how to deal with it and make sure that such crises when surpassed, yields to better understanding and in-depth learning (Lacefield, 2021). Sustainability might not be an easy path to take considering the demographics of the organization. Moreover, employees might see Sustainability measures in the office as more of a challenge than a positive change. During challenges, the management tends to tighten the reins for balance. However, this is a chance for the management to reevaluate the course of action that will lead to resilience. This too, must be understood well by the whole organization, in relation to Ensuring Alignment on Mission, Purpose, and Vision.

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Leveraging Mistakes as a Source of Learning???

If the organization punishes/penalizes its employees because of a simple mistake, employees will not adopt a culture which they desire, instead there will be a high possibility of a secretive culture emerging. If management leverages on mistakes as source of learning, this will motivate employees and may also make them commit to a particular cause.? It is better to work for a kind organization than a punishing one. Sustainability in the office is a present-day concept that may be hard to understand for some of the employees. Management should expect errors/mistake in executing these news tasks and guidelines heading to the “Green Office”. Management should be able to come up with ways on how the error committed be explained thoroughly to employees, its effects to the employee and to the organization, and most importantly, on how the entire organization will learn from it and avoid future occurrences. Sustainability is an ever-evolving concept that needs to adapt to the world’s perpetual motion, and so do we.

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Once the management has a clear path to start a culture, we shall now begin to look into the benefits of having a “Green Office”.

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Promotes healthier employees (physically moreover mentally)

Health in the workplace is not confined to hygiene and sanitation alone. Stress from work contributes to an employee’s well-being. Stress may be in the form of cramped workplace, poor lighting, or unattractive employee benefits. According to Mockus (2023), employee stress can also include common issues like transportation, money issues, and time management.

Management may start improving the workplace by ways of using eco-friendly products (plant-based or non-toxic) or to make use of natural lighting to save energy. Both can lessen the stress of an employee. The workplace will be conducive not only to working but also to learning. Moreover, Mockus (2023) stressed out that worker well-being training may attend many of these stresses and help keep the employees happy and healthy not only inside the workplace but also outside the workplace.

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According to Dixon (2021), flexible hours and remote working options are some of the examples as well to reduce the day-to-day stress of an employee.? When management sets days for remote working, they do not have to open the office physically hence reducing operational costs especially in energy. The employee on the other hand, will not be required to travel to and fro the office, ergo reducing carbon footprint.

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Reduces operating costs.

Office utilities like water and electricity have been keen subjects of sustainability. Last 2022, a total 16,085,187 MWh (Megawatt Hour) were consumed by NCR’s Commercial and Industrial Sector (Department of Energy & 2022 DOE Power Statistics, 2023). Imagine how much an organization can save if they shift to a sustainable standard operating procedure in terms of office management. Power consumption in general produces carbon emission. Opting for sustainable work practices that involve a wiser usage of utilities like natural lighting, compressed work week or remote working can highly impact the organization’s carbon footprint and reducing operating costs as the physical office requires electricity and water. Organizations in the Philippines do not require heaters because of the absence of the winter season; however, a number of air conditioning units are required more often than not to beat the tropical heat.

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Reduces the offices waste (less waste, less landfill needs, more land for the people)

Recycling and reusing in the office not only reduce costs but also reduces office waste. NCR produced 3,466,469 metric tons of garbage last 2020, considering it was in the height of the pandemic. It is estimated that the weighted average per capita in Metro Manila is almost 0.7 kilos of garbage per day (Mayuga, 2021). These figures show that there would be an irretrievable need for more landfills. More landfills equate to more land needs, more land needs equate to tight competition in owning a land. When we put up more landfills because of our wastes, it can cause some areas to be very densely populated due land scarcity in general. Reduced office wastes also mean reduced operating costs, after all garbage disposal is for a fee and not for free.?

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Produces knowledgeable employees.

The paradigm shift to “Green Office” entails in-depth research and training to the members of the organization. Having a pool of committed employees that are willing to learn this new concept is a great asset to the company. Culture is passed down through means of education (Patterson, 2018), so if the management’s approach in educating their employees will be as simple yet informative and interesting, the “Green Office” culture will slowly begin to be part of the organization’s identity. Not only that the organization was able to produce employees that values sustainability, but because of the education and training that it includes, the organization has also produced knowledgeable employees.

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Positive branding for an organization as a whole and as an employer

“Green Office” organizations and culture promote positive branding and image. It is normal that organizations do not want to be tagged as abusers of the environment, that is one brand image no organization would like to be associated with. If the Management is successful in promoting the employees’ health, like Word-of-Mouth Marketing, employees would tell their relatives and peers about how good to work for the said organization.? This enacts once again as positive branding for the organization but with emphasis on how the organization as an employer, an employer that promotes healthier employees.

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Straightforward ways to start up the “Green Office”.

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Minimize usage and wastage of paper products.

By far the easiest and simplest way to start, time to go paperless, organizations must remember the shocking figures of paper wastage. Management must campaign for a paperless transaction within the office. Avoid printing unnecessary emails and use E-signature for internal documents. Mugs are far way sustainable option than the paper cups. Why not include a mug as a welcome kit for new employees? Or a water tumbler for everyone as the organization’s holiday gift?

Recycle and Reuse

Purchasing or acquiring new office supplies every now and then costs money. Supplies that end up in waste, also costs money to get rid of. From batteries, books to furniture, the management should opt to reuse and recycle this office supplies/equipment.

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Procurement of eco-friendly products

According to Aichbauer et al. (2022), organization's sustainability standards can only truly be as good as those along its entire supply chain. Organizations must be motivated and committed on their journey to shift into responsible and sustainable businesses by focusing on the supply chain, which considers an important part of a company's expenses and thus the effect procurement?can make (Aichbauer et al., 2022).

The Organization’s procurement department must also be heavily involved in this journey. Procurement officers must consider eco-friendly products from non-toxic material and as much as possible plant based. Also, a high premium on product life to maximize usage but also contemplating on the effects of that product on the environment.

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Promote eco-friendly transportation arrangements.

The organization may provide transportation to the employees like shuttle services or recommend carpooling among employees. The Organization may also handout LRT/MRT Beep Cards so that employees are encouraged to take public transport instead to bring their cars, lessening the carbon footprint. The organization may opt to use its savings from recyclable and reusable resources in investment on sustainable transportation (electric vehicles) or allocate to R&D (Research and Development).

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Incentives

A reward and recognition program has mutual benefits both for the organization and for its employees. It suffices the needs of basic desires and recognition and acknowledgment of efforts invested by the employees, it helps boost employee morale and effect the overall employee’s experience (Sharma, 2019).

The organization may use the savings to reward employees with tours that not only make them enjoy but deepen their understanding even further with sustainability (e.g. Eco-Tour). If the organization has established KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) for sustainability and really committed in “Green Office” concept, the management may come up with an incentive scheme to motivate employees and to make this move to “Green Office” both beneficial to the company and employees.

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Conclusion:

Climate Change and the recent Covid19 pandemic are evident manifestation that the world is indeed changing. People and organizations need to adapt to these changes otherwise, harm will be done not only to the planet but also unavoidably to its occupants. The “Green Office” culture and ways will be a game changerin the years to come. It is a relatively new concept in practice nowadays, after the world has seen the effects of climate change and the pandemic. It promotes health of the people and health of the planet while allowing business to operate and earn profits. The “Green Office”, once in place, will save a lot of resources, therefore organizations have the liberty to reallocate them, organization will have knowledgeable and healthy employees. It is vital that this culture starts in easy and doable ways, like teaching children how to tidy up their things. It is equally important that the management of the organization shows their genuine commitment to this culture for it to grow within the organization and up until when employees go to their homes. Employees may also teach their family and friends and apply this culture not only in the workplace but also at home, where the basic unit of society resides. Organizations must remember that presently, through sustainability, the future of the organization hangs. Sustainability is the way to business longevity taking in consideration of the planet, people and profit (TBL).

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In this sense, a sustainable business starts in the office, don’t you think?

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References

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Aichbauer, S., Buchhauser, M., Erben, A., Steinert, S., Tietze, D., & Wiking, E. (2022).?Responsible procurement?: leading the way to a sustainable tomorrow: Leading the Way to a Sustainable Tomorrow?(1st ed.). Springer .?https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98640-7

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Cote, C. (2023, March 2). HOW DOES LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE??Harvard Business School Online. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/organizational-culture-and-leadership

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Department of Energy & 2022 DOE Power Statistics. (2023, June 30).?2022 Electricity Sales and Consumption (MWh) by Region. Department of Energy. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://www.doe.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/energy_statistics/2022_power_statistics_12_electricity_sales_and_consumption_per_sector.pdf

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Dixon, L. (2021). Lef stalk about mental health: sick days and mental health days are ok.?Rochester Business Journal,?37(12), 37–37.

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Lancefield, D. (2021, February 15). How to Reinvent Your Organization In the Middle of a Crisis.?Harvard Business Review. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://hbr.org/2021/02/how-to-reinvent-your-organization-in-the-middle-of-a-crisis

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Mayuga, J. (2021, January 10). The garbage conundrum: Two decades after the enactment of a Solid Waste Act, compliance with waste handling, disposal law remains wanting.?Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://www.denr.gov.ph/images/DENR_News_Alerts/DENR_News_Alerts_10_January_2021_Sunday.pdf

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Mockus, H. (2023). 5 steps to increase worker well-being.?Ishn,?57(5), 25–25.

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Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. (n.d.).?Culture. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/culture_1

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Patterson, O. (2018). The mechanisms of cultural reproduction: explaining the puzzle of persistence. In?Routledge Handbook of Cultural Sociology?(pp. 122-132). Routledge.

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Sharma, R. R. (2019).?Human resource management for organizational sustainability. Business Expert Press. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/delasallelib-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5736201

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Statista Research Department. (2023, September 20).?Global paper and paperboard consumption 2021-2032. Statista. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://www.statista.com/statistics/1089078/demand-paper-globally-until-2030/

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Yohn, D. L. (2021, February 8).?Company Culture Is Everyone’s Responsibility. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from?https://hbr.org/2021/02/company-culture-is-everyones-responsibility