How can we be more environmentally friendly at work?

Hi, everyone!

Some days ago, I was asked to answer to this interesting (but tricky) questions. I want to share my responses (and reflections) with you:

How can you be environmentally friendly at work?

Achieving a respectful and environmentally friendly work environment is a collective purpose that implies the firm commitment of both the employer as an organization (creating collective awareness, proposing strategies, allocating resources, implementing actions, following up) and individual employees.

Although individual participation will be more limited in scope (in terms of time and resources), the effect of their initiative (both individual and collective) is synergistic.

Obviously, the role of the company plays a leading role, since it is the organization that allocates the necessary resources to make available the elements needed to carry out the work: resources, inputs, materials, equipment and work environments, so that the employees can use them in the most effective (i.e., effective and efficient) way.

Thus, referring exclusively to energy saving in the office, we found that while it is the initiative (and responsibility) of the worker to turn off the lights, or disconnect the electronic elements when not in use, it is the reciprocal initiative (and responsibility) of the employer to provide LED light bulbs (which consume less energy than traditional bulbs and last longer), install motion sensors that turnoff lights when a room is empty; provide laptops for using in the office, instead of desktops (as they consume less energy); install energy-efficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems; energy-efficient appliances and lighting systems.

The same applies for reducing the use of paper, ink and other consumables in the office: the employee must be aware of the need to print double – sided to reduce paper usage; use recycled paper or paper made from sustainable sources, as well as refillable pens and pencils, eco-friendly ink cartridges, or paperless options such as email, online collaboration tools, and cloud storage; but the employee is the one responsible to provide such resources.

Nevertheless, there are some initiatives which are less dependent from the employer, that can be implemented by employees, as a part of their common sense, and their own sense of respect for the environment. For instance, to bring in reusable containers for lunch.

What kinds of incentives could a green company offer to its employees?

This is a very complex issue, because to promote economic incentives for green behavior represent an expense additional to salaries (and can generate unnecessary confusion with the remuneration structure if managed improperly). But there can be some interesting opportunities for the design of such incentives.

For instance, the following: encourage carpooling and public transportation; promote incentives for employees who choose eco-friendly commuting options or eco-friendly transportation; which must go together with employer's initiatives like setting up a car-sharing program for employees, providing bike racks and encouraging others to bike to work or telecommuting.

Notice that when the employer supplies the means of transportation from home to work, he assumes the risk of guarantee his employees safety during travel. And that when the employer creates a car-sharing program (and paying some retribution for carpooling), he is subtly adding new tasks to his employees, on the occasion of implementing the aforementioned program. So, in practice, these incentives (which, in addition, are difficult to supervise and control) are not precisely efficient.

On the other hand, offering hybrid working schemes for staff is a great way to improve the work/life balance of the personnel (giving them the opportunity to work from home during the week, saving them time and money on the commute, whilst lowering their carbon emissions), while reducing the carbon footprint of the business.

There will be more interesting opportunities in terms of offering facilities that encourage employees to cycle to work (including not only racks to store their bicycle safely, but showers for freshening up after their commute), and to promote (or provide) discounts or subsidies for cycling equipment and services. Or to offer incentives for staff to buy hybrid and electric cars (considering, of course, current limitations in terms of the difference of price comparing to conventional options).

In what other ways could businesses involve their employees in environmental issues?

Basically, promoting environmentally friendly practices at work, and divulging green practices at home (by means of setting up a green team to promote sustainability in the office).

For instance: speaking about responsible use of water, the employer must install water dispensers to reduce plastic bottle waste, filtered water instead of bottled water, and reusable mugs, plates, and cutlery, instead of disposable ones (which is an example of zero-waste communal and break areas).

Referring to recycling or similar issues, to set up an office composting program, or use natural or organic products in the office kitchen, or natural cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda, reusable bags and containers for office supplies, and of course, to install recycling bins in common areas and individual workspaces.

Being more innovative, the employer can work on initiatives like no-waste cooking (a practice which involves using every part of an ingredient or dish to minimize food waste, using smaller portions and reusing food scraps for another meal rather than throwing them out), in articulation with the offering of sustainable and healthy food options for lunch.

Yes, indeed, all of these are individual initiatives that we, as employees, can (and must) conduct as part of our common responsibility towards the environment. They are compatible with the 3R Concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) that helps to reduce waste and preserve valuable materials.

As I said, the organization is the main responsible to promoting and encouraging these green practices, with actions designed to, for instance, make recycling easy, and sustainability fun. In order to promote reusable or recyclable dishware, the company can invest in providing a welcome kit, with dishware, takeout food containers and travel mugs.

Best regards,?

Camilo García Sarmiento