Green has become trendy these days. Information about our impact on the planet, such as climate change, is widespread. As a result, many people have jumped on the sustainable living bandwagon.
If your business isn’t practicing eco-friendly initiatives, you’re missing out. You’ll find plenty of incentives to go green, with everyone from executives to entry-level employees reaping the benefits. Luckily, implementing new standards is easy.
Stress the Importance
Let employees know why sustainable solutions are a better choice for their future. Show research proving their health is at risk in polluted environments, including big cities. Some major contaminants include ozone, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide.
Experts have linked roughly 4.2 million premature deaths to ambient air pollution. These fatalities stem from illnesses like respiratory infection, lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.
Explain how pollution contributes to global warming, and how it will affect the planet in the coming years. If we don’t take action now, the changes could be irreversible.
Create a Seamless Transition
Your employees might have your back after the first meeting. Yet that can change if the transition is a difficult one. You don’t need to shut down parts of the building for costly renovations.
Instead, start small.
Choose a prominent spot for the recycling bin, encourage staff to use real kitchenware instead of single-use plastics and shut off computers at the end of the day. You can easily reduce paper consumption by switching to electronic processes such as automated billing, electronic filing, and online note taking.
Light your office with LED bulbs, which are more efficient and last longer than incandescents and fluorescents. Plus, equip rooms with motion-activated sensors, including restrooms. When no one is around, the lights will automatically shut off.
Make Green Fun
Going green doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, sustainable choices can be better for office morale than wasteful alternatives.
To get the team involved, make the transition fun. Let them play with new eco-friendly toys, like staple-less staplers, refillable pens and seed packet business cards. Ask them to bring in plants that can thrive indoors, like succulents and cacti. According to one study, greenery can remove 87% of toxins in the air within 24 hours.
Host a lunch craft hour where employees can make reusable coffee mugs instead of relying on disposable options. You can also buy everyone a metal straw with their name engraved on the outside — a small token of appreciation for their efforts.
How to Implement Sustainable Standards at Your Business
Implementing green standards doesn’t have to be boring, annoying or difficult. Make the change one step at a time.
Start small, switching out bulbs for LEDs and shutting off computers at the end of the day. Be open to considerations and suggestions from employees, including negative feedback. While you should stress why eco-friendly initiatives are essential, don’t forget to make the process fun. If done right, some team members won’t recognize the difference.
Need A Massage? Learn How To Give One To Yourself And Your Loved Ones
Receiving a massage, whether it’s given by someone else or self-administered, can help loosen your muscles and establish a better connection not only with your body but also with the people you love.
